Hanoi, August 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Lương Cường on August 29 received Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam.
Welcoming the Speaker, President Cường highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1975–2025) and Việt Nam’s 80th National Day. He expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The President praised New Zealand as a reliable partner that has actively cooperated with and supported Việt Nam over the past five decades. He underlined that the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025 has opened a new stage of cooperation, broadening collaboration both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Speaker Brownlee expressed his delight at visiting Việt Nam during its National Day celebrations, calling it a special opportunity to witness the pride and patriotism of the Vietnamese people. He commended Việt Nam’s impressive development achievements and growing role at regional and international forums, reaffirming New Zealand’s desire to further strengthen friendship and cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with bilateral cooperation in education, agriculture, trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to accelerate the signing of an Action Programme to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025–2030 with concrete measures across sectors.
Both sides stressed the importance of building political trust, increasing high-level visits and exchanges, and enhancing cooperation in defence and security, as well as information sharing on regional and global developments. They also agreed to expand education, tourism, and trade linkages. President Cường proposed that New Zealand provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students and continue supporting the Vietnamese community in New Zealand.
Speaker Brownlee affirmed his country’s appreciation of the Vietnamese community and commitment to creating favourable conditions for them.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, pledging to maintain close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, APEC, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms.
