(VOVworld) – After a solemn reception for Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at New Zealand’s Government House on Thursday, the Vietnamese and New Zealand Prime Ministers held talks in a frank, open, trusting, and constructive manner. They reviewed the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship over the past 40 years, particularly since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2009. They agreed to strengthen their comprehensive partnership towards a strategic partnership in the near future.

A reception for Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was held at New Zealand's Government House

At the talks, both sides pledged to create the best possible conditions for goods and services to enter each other’s market. The two PMs said their countries will enhance all-level delegation exchanges and diversify forms of contact including phone conversations, meetings on the sidelines of international conferences, and exchanging special envoys. The leaders discussed measures to boost cooperation in defence-security, education, people-to-people exchange, and labour.

Both sides consented to increase cultural, artistic and tourism exchange activities to enhance mutual understanding, especially as they celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Besides bilateral cooperation, both leaders were unanimous on the importance of expanding consultation, policy coordination, and mutual support to address global challenges and promote matters of mutual concern. They also committed to soon conclude negotiations on free trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement (RCEP).

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key welcomes Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability and called on concerned parties to resolve maritime disputes without force and in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told a press conference following the talks: “Prime Minister John Key and I agree to double trade revenue to 1.7 billion USD in 2020 and support businesses of both countries to invest in the other’s agriculture, husbandry, education, and services. New Zealand will offer conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter its market.”

PM Nguyen Tan Dung invited the New Zealand Prime Minister to visit Vietnam. John Key accepted and confirmed his visit will take place later this year.

Following the talks, both leaders issued a joint statement on strengthening the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership.

The PMs witnessed the signing of an agreement on food safety and animal and plant quarantine and a protocol amending their air services agreement.
On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with New Zealand Governor-General Jerry Mateparae and Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter.

Mr. Dung briefed his hosts on the main results of his talks with Prime Minister John Key, expressing his delight at the developing cooperation between the two countries over the past four decades, especially following the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2009. General-Governor Mateparae and Speaker Cater expressed their pleasure at the fruitful meeting between the two PMs, affirming their support for fostering collaboration between the two countries in an attempt to raise bilateral ties to a new height.

They lauded the specific agreements reached during the Vietnamese PM’s visit and proposed measures to enhance their efficiency, including forming twin relations between localities.

During talks with leader of the Labour Party Andrew Little, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam wants the Labour Party to continue to support Vietnam-New Zealand relations.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and leader of New Zealand's Labour Party Andrew Little

Vietnam acknowledged the support of the Labour Party for the Vietnamese government since the New Zealand government, led by the Labour Party, and the Vietnamese government established diplomatic ties in 1975 and developed cooperation during the past 40 years. He expressed his belief that both governments would continue efforts to promote their potential, benefiting the comprehensive partnership. He agreed with the initiative to enhance an exchange of young people and increase the number of Vietnamese students studying in New Zealand from 2,000 to 3,000 in the near future.