At her meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on October 16, Andrea Smith expressed hope that Vietnam continues to be a firm bridge to boost the relationship between New Zealand and ASEAN, especially in the context that the two sides are to lift their ties to strategic partnership this year and the ASEAN Community is to be formed by year-end.
She suggested both countries intensify close cooperation and support for mutual development, for the interests of each country’s people and for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.
Deputy PM Minh said that the two countries are actively implementing agreements reached during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s official visit to New Zealand in March, as well as activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 19, 1975-2015).
He encouraged both sides to put forward new initiatives to bring into full play their potential and advantages to bolster bilateral relations, and reach common perception in regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in Vietnam to attend the 10th Vietnam-New Zealand political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level.
