New Zealand attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam

At the meeting, New Zealand Parliament Speaker Adrian Rurawhe expressed his delight at the positive development of friendly ties between the two countries and the two legislative bodies over the years.

He extended his best regards to Vietnamese high-ranking leaders and looks forward to welcoming National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on an official visit to New Zealand soon in order to discuss directions and measures to step up cooperation between the two parliaments as well as the two countries' strategic partnership in the context that the two countries have reopened and are on the path of socio-economic recovery and development.

Minister Bui Thanh Son congratulated New Zealand on its achievements in socio-economic development, and highly appreciated New Zealand's support for countries in the region, including Vietnam, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son informed about Vietnam's situation with initial achievements in socio-economic recovery and growth, emphasizing that the nation is fully open to welcome investment, trade and international tourism, including New Zealand.

He applauded the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation and dialogue mechanisms, expressing support for proposals of the two countries’ foreign ministers to maintain the exchange of delegations and high-level meetings; implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and bolster multifaceted cooperation, including new fields such climate change adaptation, marine environment protection, green and sustainable growth, and in implementing commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). 

Rurawhe also highly valued the Vietnamese community in New Zealand, hoping that more and more Vietnamese students will study in his country, contributing to the strengthening of understanding between the two peoples.

In response, FM Son congratulated New Zealand on its socio-economic development, and appreciated the country’s support for regional countries, including Vietnam, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He briefed the New Zealand official on Vietnam’s socio-economic recovery achievements, stressing that the country always opens its door to foreign trade and investment, and tourism, including New Zealand. 

Son suggested the government and House of Representatives of New Zealand create conditions for the Vietnamese community to stably live in and integrate into the host country’s society; and make it easy for Vietnamese students to study in the country after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The two sides should further enhance people-to-people exchange and tourism cooperation by soon resuming direct flights between the two countries, Son said. 

Regarding regional and international cooperation, both sides affirmed they will maintain cooperation and coordination at multilateral mechanisms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the United Nations, as a contribution to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development on the basis of respect to international law and the UN Charter.