New Zealand and Vietnam Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: At the invitation of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand conducted an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam from February 25 to 28, 2025.
During his visit, Prime Minister Luxon held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Chính and met with key Vietnamese leaders, including General Secretary of the Communist Party Tô Lâm, President Lương Cường, and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn.
Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and New Zealand, the two Prime Ministers announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This agreement builds upon the Strategic Partnership established in 2020 and underscores the two nations’ commitment to enhanced political, economic, and security cooperation.
A Joint Plan of Action will be developed over the next year, focusing on five key areas: (i) political engagement, (ii) defence, security, and maritime cooperation, (iii) trade and investment, (iv) climate change and technology, and (v) education and cultural exchanges.
Both leaders reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality and regional stability, emphasizing cooperation on economic integration, security, and maritime governance. The commitment to multilateral frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and ASEAN-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) was also highlighted.
Additionally, the visit witnessed new agreements in climate action, defence cooperation, and people-to-people links, reinforcing the deepening partnership between the two nations.
