Both sides expressed satisfaction with developments in bilateral ties and hailed the outcomes of the second meeting of the Viet Nam - Brunei Commission on bilateral cooperation, held last February in Hanoi. They also agreed to co-chair the third meeting in Brunei next year. They pledged to work closely to enhance ties, especially in politics, security, national defense, maritime cooperation, and education.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and  Brunei’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lim Jock Seng

Mr. Lim Jock praised Vietnam’s initiatives and efforts in hosting APEC 2017 and pledged to support Viet Nam in successfully accomplishing its mission as the host country.

Also on Thursday morning, Deputy PM Minh held bilateral talks with Papua New Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato and New Zealand’s Deputy PM Winston Peters.

During the meeting with Minister Pato, the two sides agreed on closer cooperation and mutual support within the APEC framework, especially as Papua New Guinea will host the 2018 APEC Meetings.  

In his meeting with New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters, both sides noted significant developments in bilateral cooperation on education and training, tourism, and people exchanges. Mr. Minh told his guest that Vietnam will do its best in hosting a meeting with the 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in Da Nang as the US has withdrawn from the deal.

After the meeting, the two leaders signed the Vietnam-New Zealand Action Plan for the 2017-2020 period.