Vietnam, New Zealand to maintain close link amid Covid-19 pandemic

Vietnam and New Zealand are determined to maintain the strong partnership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung. Photos: baoquocte

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary for Americas and Asia Mark Sinclair agreed on the view as the two co-chaired the 12^th Vietnam-New Zealand Political Consultation under virtual format on May 13.

At the meeting, New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary Mark Sinclair congratulated Vietnam on the successful 13th National Party Congress, the country’s effective Covid-19 containment and strong economic recovery from the pandemic.

For his part, Dung expressed his impression on New Zealand’s achievements in socio-economic development and putting Covid-19 pandemic under control.

Dung also highly regarded New Zealand’s supporting stance for ASEAN in maintaining peace, security, stability, freedom of air and sea navigation in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea). 

The two sides noted bilateral relations are growing strong in all spheres, as such, this political consultation event showcases the strong determination from both countries in maintaining this relationship.

Overview of the political consultation

Both Dung and Mark Sinclair agreed on the soon finalization of action program to realize the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership in 2021, along with boosting political and diplomatic linkage via existing bilateral mechanisms.

Vietnam and New Zealand are committed to supporting each other in regional and international forum, including the UN, ASEAN, APEC, as well as boosting trade cooperation under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

A speedy ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is also on the agenda of discussion between the two.

The two senior officials exchanged view on international and regional issues of mutual interest, as well as complicated situation on the South China Sea, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Under this context, territorial dispute should be settled via peaceful measures and on the basis of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).

Both countries agreed on the full implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea and look forward to the early conclusion of the code of conduct (COC) that is effective, substantive and consistent with international law.