Hanoi, June 05, 2024, The Europe Today: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính emphasized the imperative of elevating bilateral trade to new heights, setting a target of achieving a trade value of US$3 billion at the earliest. The Prime Minister articulated this ambitious goal during a cordial reception for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Winston Peters, in Hà Nội on Wednesday.
Acknowledging the substantial progress achieved in bilateral relations, PM Chính underscored the intrinsic complementarity between the economies of Việt Nam and New Zealand, advocating for enhanced connectivity to unlock their full potential. Encouraging New Zealand enterprises to intensify their investment in Việt Nam, particularly in sectors aligned with their expertise, PM Chính affirmed Việt Nam’s open embrace of foreign investment and commitment to facilitating a conducive business environment.
In addition to consolidating collaboration in traditional domains, both nations pledged to forge ahead in emerging fields such as climate change mitigation, energy transition, sustainable development, and digital innovation. PM Chính commended the steadfast commitment of the foreign ministries of both countries in sustaining the momentum of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, urging concerted efforts to translate shared aspirations into tangible outcomes through targeted projects and initiatives.
Furthermore, PM Chính underscored the significance of fostering an inclusive environment for the Vietnamese community in New Zealand, emphasizing its role as a bridge for fostering people-to-people ties and fostering mutual understanding.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters reaffirmed New Zealand’s profound appreciation for Việt Nam’s regional and global contributions, underscoring the strategic importance of the Việt Nam – Zealand Strategic Partnership. Expressing optimism for the prospect of a new framework for bilateral relations, Peters pledged the full support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating high-level exchanges and commemorating the forthcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
PM Chính and his New Zealand counterpart reached a consensus on bolstering collaboration and mutual support in multilateral forums, particularly as Việt Nam prepares to assume the role of coordinator for ASEAN – New Zealand relations from July 2024 to July 2027. Affirming New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with ASEAN, Peters reiterated the shared commitment to upholding maritime security and stability in the East Sea through adherence to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
In a cordial conclusion to the meeting, PM Chính extended warm regards to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and extended a gracious invitation for him to visit Việt Nam in the near future, underscoring the mutual desire to deepen bilateral ties and foster enduring friendship between the two nations.
