Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the strong development of bilateral ties, emphasising the growing political trust and strategic confidence strengthened through the exchange of delegations at all levels as well as people-to-people exchanges, and effective bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Tran Ngoc Quang
PM Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon pose for a photo before their talks. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)ꦜ – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon held talks in Hanoi on February 26, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
The talks took place right after a welcome ceremony chaired by PM Chinh for the visiting New Zealand Prime Minister.
Chinh warmly welcomed Luxon’s first official visit to Vietnam as Prime Minister of New Zealand, highlighting its significance as the two nations are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and five years of strategic partnership.
He congratulated New Zealand on its recent socio-economic achievements and expressed gratitude for its support for Vietnam’s national construction and development efforts.
PM Luxon expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam and congratulated the country on its impressive socio-economic growth, saying that Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest economic growth rate in the past year. He emphasised Vietnam is one of New Zealand’s priorities in Southeast Asia, and a reliable and potential partner with, while expressing his hope for further development of the two countries' relations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at their talks. (Photo: VNA)
Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the strong development of bilateral ties, emphasising the growing political trust and strategic confidence strengthened through the exchange of delegations at all levels as well as people-to-people exchanges, and effective bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They affirmed their political resolve to enhance engagement across aspects and support each other’s development goals while contributing to harmoniously solving common regional and global challenges.
The two PMs expressed their pleasure with two-way trade between growing over the years, from 300 million USD in 2009 to 1.3 billion USD at present. Since 1992, more than 600 Vietnamese officials have received English language and professional training in New Zealand, while the New Zealand government has awarded over 600 scholarships for Vietnamese students at the high school, master’s, and doctoral levels. New Zealand has implemented numerous development aid projects in Vietnam, including initiatives to improve the quality of avocado, dragon fruit, and passion fruit, as well as dam and dyke safety projects in central provinces.
In a significant step forward, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting the aspirations of their people and a shared commitment to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development. They underscored the need to swiftly develop an Action Programme implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-2028 through concrete initiatives and collaborative projects.
PM Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon witness the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: VNA)
Both sides agreed to deepen political and diplomatic ties through increasing all-level exchanges, maintaining bilateral cooperation mechanisms and implementing signed documents. They pledged to enhance defence and security collaboration, expand partnerships in defence industry and military trade, and work together in transnational crime prevention, maritime security, and United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The two PMs stressed the need for closer economic ties and more effective trade and investment cooperation. They agreed to develop a strategy to connect the two economies, promote the signing of agreements on economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and facilitate market access for each other’s agricultural products, toward the goal of diversifying supply chains and the target of 3 billion USD in bilateral trade turnover by 2026 while doubling two-way investment.
PM Chinh welcomed stronger business connections between the two countries and affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating a favourable investment environment for New Zealand enterprises, particularly those involved in high-quality, modern technology projects.
Both sides also agreed to further breakthroughs in science and technology cooperation, digital transformation, green transition, agriculture, and climate change response. New Zealand pledged continued support in finance, technology and knowledge transfer to help Vietnam fulfil its international climate commitments, transition to clean energy, and develop renewable energy.
Additionally, New Zealand will enhance support for Vietnam in sustainable agricultural development and climate adaptation, particularly in the Mekong Delta region.
The two sides also concurred to foster closer people-to-people exchanges through cooperation in education and training, workforce development, and tourism. New Zealand will continue its English Language Training for Officials (ELTO) programme for Vietnamese officials, increase visa quotas for Vietnamese citizens under the Working Holiday Programme, and facilitate the Vietnamese community in New Zealand.
Both sides encourage their airlines to open direct flight routes and promote relationships between localities and universities. Earlier today, at the Education Connectivity Forum held at the Foreign Trade University, the New Zealand Prime Minister announced 98 scholarships at various levels for Vietnamese students.
Regarding regional and international issues, the two sides agreed that amid regional and global complex developments, the two countries strive to promote dialogue and build trust in the region, increase coordination of stance and support each other at regional and international forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms, while highlighting ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture.
The New Zealand Prime Minister welcomed Vietnam’s role as the coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations and agreed to strengthen ties with ASEAN, toward establishing the ASEAN-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership framework in the near future.
🍌The Vietnamese Prime Minister highly appreciated New Zealand’s stance on upholding international law in the region and resolving disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.
Following their talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents in diplomacy, climate change, agriculture, healthcare, and education, and held a joint press conference./.
Party General Secretary To Lam highly valued the Joint Statement on upgrading bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, saying that this milestone reflects the remarkable progress and profound mutual trust between Vietnam and New Zealand.
State President Luong Cuong stated that the upgrade of the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opens up a new chapter for collaboration.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
