(VOVworld)- Vietnam and New Zealand have issued a joint statement on Prime Minister John Key’s visit to Vietnam from November 14 to November 17.

During his visit, Prime Minister Key held talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and paid courtesy visits to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. During talks, the two Prime Ministers pledged to support businesses to seek new cooperation opportunities within the framework of the TPP and the Australia-New Zealand-ASEAN free trade agreement toward 1.7 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2020. New Zealand committed to supporting Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Summit in 2017. The two Prime Ministers hailed the two countries’ defense ministries’ initiatives to boost cooperation in peacekeeping activities based on New Zealand’s experiences and Vietnam’s wish to contribute to this mission. Both sides affirmed their commitments in regional forums including the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting+, the East Asia Summit, and the Extensive ASEAN Maritime Forum. They acknowledged the importance of these forums in boosting and maintaining prosperity and addressing security challenges in the region. They agreed on the need to maintain peace and stability in the region, and ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, abide by international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Both called on involved countries to refrain from causing tension in the region, comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East and soon establish the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. They agreed to further cooperation to promote multilateral trade, peace and security. They praised their membership bids at the UN. Both condemned the terror attacks in Paris last Friday and offered condolences to French people.

They agreed on initiatives set in the joint statement in March, 2015 during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to New Zealand to enhance bilateral relations heading to a strategic partnership in the future. Both countries will continue to exchange high-level delegations, effectively implement the strategic plans on education cooperation and people-to-people exchange.