During their talks in Auckland on March 19, New Zealand PM John Key hailed the Vietnameseleader’s official visit as an important event amid activities to markthe 40th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (1975-2015).
The two leaders voiced their delight at thesubstantial development of bilateral cooperation in politics, trade,investment, security-defence, education and culture.
Trade reached 800 million USD in 2014, rocketing up 120 percent withinthe five years since their comprehensive partnership was set up in 2009.It is hoped to hit 1.7 billion USD by 2020.
At thetalks, both sides pledged to create the best possible conditions forgoods and services to enter each other’s market.
New Zealand promised to consider the import of Vietnamese fruits such asrambutan, longan, star apple, and grapefruit. It also regards Vietnamas a potential market and will continue investing in realms of sharedinterest such as agriculture, energy, and education-training.
The two PMs said their countries will enhance all-level delegationexchanges and diversify forms of contact, expanding to include phoneconversations, meetings on the fringe of high-level conferences, andspecial envoys. They will also more effectively utilise currentcooperation mechanisms to successfully implement signed agreements andtargets stipulated in the second phase of their action programme(2013-2016).
The leaders discussed measures to boost cooperation in defence-security, education, people-to-people exchange, and labour.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung valued the New Zealand Government’s officialdevelopment assistance to Vietnam and sought closer collaboration incommon concerns, including agriculture and rural areas, human resourcesdevelopment, disaster risk management, and post-war recovery.
Meanwhile, PM John Key affirmed that New Zealand will continue toprovide technical support to improve Vietnam’s human resource capacity.He also suggested a new cooperation model called inter-governmentaltrade partnership.
The two sides consented toincrease cultural, artistic and tourism exchange activities to enhancemutual understanding, especially as they celebrate 40 years ofdiplomatic relations in 2015. In that spirit, a direct air route betweenthe nations is expected to be established shortly to foster trade,tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Vietnam currently ranks ninth among countries sending students to New Zealand.
PM John Key appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese communityto his country and pledged to provide favourable conditions for them tosettle, integrate, and engage in local political and socio-economicactivities.
During the talks, both sides wereunanimous in expanding consultation, policy coordination, and mutualsupport to address global challenges and promote shared matters. Theyalso committed to shortly conclude negotiations on free trade deals suchas the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.
PMJohn Key thanked Vietnam for supporting New Zealand’s candidacy for anon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council’s 2015-2016term and committed to support the Southeast Asian country’s organisationof the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Sharing views on regional and international issues of common concern,the two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining regional peaceand stability and called on concerned parties to resolve sea disputeswithout force and in line with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Onthe occasion, PM Nguyen Tan Dung invited the New Zealand Prime Ministerto visit Vietnam. John Key accepted and confirmed his visit will takeplace within the year.
Following their talks, thetwo sides issued a joint statement on strengthening the Vietnam-NewZealand comprehensive partnership.
The PMs alsowitnessed the signing of an agreement on food safety and animal andplant quarantine as well as a protocol amending their air servicesagreement.-VNA