Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters, Hanoi, June 5, 2024. (Photo: VNA/Duong Giang)

During a reception for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters in Hanoi on Wednesday, PM Chinh suggested that the two countries work together in the new domains of climate change response, energy transition, green growth and digital economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Peters said that New Zealand attaches much importance to Vietnam’s roles in the region and the world, and the Vietnam-Zealand Strategic Partnership, expressing his hope that the two sides will build a new framework for their relations soon on the basis of the current sound ties.

The two leaders reached consensus on close cooperation and support for each other at multilateral forums, and effective coordination when Vietnam takes on the role as coordinator of ASEAN-New Zealand relations from July 2024 to July 2027. 

New Zealand treasures the central role of ASEAN and its strategic partnership with the bloc, and wants to bring the relations to a new high, Mr. Peters said.

The two sides agreed to support ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea, settling disputes via peaceful means based on international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), ensuring safety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters.