Thailand, New Zealand agree to elevate ties to strategic partnership
Thailand and New Zealand on April 17 agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership by 2026, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon at the welcome ceremony. (Photo: Thai PM Office)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand and൲ New Zealand onApril 17 agreed to upgrade bilateral ties꧅ to a strategic partnership by 2026,on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomaticties.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made theannouncement after talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon,who is on an official visit to Thailand. During the talks, the two leaders discussedissues covering trade, education, investment, visas, tourism, transnationalcrime and cybersecurity. They also agreed to enhance economic cooperation withthe goal of tripling two-way trade by 2045. The Thai side also vowed to increase collaborationwith New Zealand in the fields of sci-tech and innovation, including smartagriculture, food technology, renewable energy, precision medicine, and digitaltechnology. The Thai PM welcomed New Zealand’s intention tobecome a development partner of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong EconomicCooperation Strategy (ACMECS), aligning with New Zealand's strategicpartnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and itsaspiration to become a comprehensive strategic partner of ASEAN by 2025./.
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The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
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Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon at the welcome ceremony. (Photo: Thai PM Office) 
