Vietnam, New Zealand Reaffirm Commitment to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Thursday welcomed Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee, whose visit to Vietnam coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the meeting in Hà Nội, Prime Minister Chính highlighted the substantive and comprehensive progress in bilateral ties, particularly since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official visit to Việt Nam in February 2025. He said this milestone has opened a new chapter in relations and urged both sides to translate high-level agreements into concrete actions to ensure cooperation develops in line with the new framework.
The Prime Minister thanked New Zealand for its active support in Vietnam’s development journey and reaffirmed Việt Nam’s readiness to strengthen ties across multiple sectors.
For his part, Speaker Brownlee expressed gratitude for the Vietnamese Government’s consistent support and described Việt Nam as a key partner for New Zealand. He stressed that both the New Zealand Government and Parliament attach great importance to enhancing relations with Việt Nam as part of the country’s wider regional policy. He also pledged strong parliamentary backing for all-round cooperation.
Brownlee endorsed five key orientations proposed by Prime Minister Chính to deepen ties, including:
- Strengthening political and diplomatic relations through increased high-level visits and exchanges;
- Accelerating economic connectivity, trade and investment agreements, and easing market access for agricultural products, with a view to raising two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2026;
- Expanding cooperation in green and digital economies, science, technology, innovation, and climate change response;
- Advancing defence and security cooperation, including UN peacekeeping efforts;
- Promoting education, training, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of establishing a direct air route to boost trade, tourism, and cultural connections. They underscored the need for closer consultations, information sharing, and policy coordination amid evolving regional and global challenges.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together at regional and international forums to contribute to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia-Pacific, while supporting New Zealand’s deeper engagement with ASEAN.
