New Zealand Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: New Zealand has reiterated its strong commitment to deepening its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and expressed readiness to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to unlock the full potential of bilateral cooperation.
The commitment was conveyed by New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Caroline Beresford, during a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường on June 23.
Ambassador Beresford highlighted New Zealand’s expertise in high-tech agriculture, digital transformation, digital government, digital healthcare, online education, and space technology. She affirmed Wellington’s willingness to support Vietnam in areas aligned with its development priorities, thereby contributing to the expansion and modernization of bilateral cooperation.
Deputy Minister Cường commended the ambassador’s close coordination with MOFA and expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s participation in the recent ASEAN Future Forum (AFF). He also thanked New Zealand for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy for a judge’s position at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term.
The deputy minister underscored the substantive and effective progress achieved in Vietnam–New Zealand relations across multiple sectors. He called for enhanced cooperation in education, agriculture, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, while emphasizing the importance of close coordination in preparing for upcoming high-level bilateral engagements to further strengthen ties.
Cường also proposed expanding cooperation in science and technology to improve the technological and economic resilience of both countries. He highlighted the need for deeper collaboration in sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, education and training, and human resource development, areas that align closely with Vietnam’s long-term development agenda.
Both sides praised their strong coordination at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and various sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to regional cooperation, Cường stated that Hanoi is prepared to work closely with New Zealand to advance ASEAN–New Zealand relations in a more substantive and effective manner, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development across the region.
