Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung and Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Elizabeth Wright-Koteka exchange notes on the establishent of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Cook Islands. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

A joint communiqué on bilateral dioplomatic ties was signed by Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung, on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, and Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Elizabeth Wright-Koteka.

After the signing ceremony, Ambassador Trung and High Commissioner Wright-Koteka discussed measures to enhance mutual understanding and solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands comprises of 15 islands of different sizes with a population of more than 20,000.   It boasts rich marine and ocean resources, including fisheries and pearling.

Vietnam is the 57th country in the world and the sixth in ASEAN that the Cook Islands has set up diplomatic relations with.