Opinion
Vietnam, New Zealand towards being strategic partners
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh yesterday received New Zealand Ambassador Vietnam Wendy Matthews.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and New Zealand Ambassador Wendy Matthews
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Minh, who is also Foreign Minister, said he is delighted with positive progress in the two countries’ cooperation as well as New Zealand’s projects in agriculture and education in some localities in Vietnam.
He suggested the two sides coordinating to prepare for high-level visits and important events slated for 2017 and the following years, basing on the discussion between the two foreign ministers in New Zealand in December 2016.
The two sides should actively exchange views to deepen the comprehensive partnership working towards a strategic partnership, complete the 2017-2020 action programme, and make the best use of bilateral mechanisms, Minh told the diplomat.
The countries should step up economic, trade and investment cooperation while making their partnership in defence, security, agriculture, education and training, science and technology and aviation more practical, he stressed.
In addition, the two countries should continue working closely in the organization of APEC Year 2017 events, especially the APEC High-Level Week in central Da Nang city in November, he said.
Ambassador Wendy Matthews noted that New Zealand always attaches importance to Vietnam’s role and position in the region and in its process of boosting cooperation with ASEAN.
The diplomat spoke highly of the stable and positive bilateral ties in 2016 and was glad with cemented defence and security cooperation so far this year.
Matthews said she will work closely with Vietnam’s ministries, sectors and branches to make sound preparations for upcoming high-level visits and the successful APEC 2017 and promote cooperative fields to develop the comprehensive partnership in a more efficient and practical manner towards the strategic partnership.
