Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam is a bright spot in the region in terms of both economic development and ensuring social equity, visiting New Zealand on February 27.

Welcoming the PM, who is on an official visit to Vietnam and to attend the second ASEAN Future Forum, Man stressed that the trip is of important significance as the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

He expressed his satisfaction with the continuous development of the bilateral relationship over the past 50 years, stating that the upgrade of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a significant historical milestone, marking the 50-year journey of bilateral ties and opening a new phase of deeper, broader, more reliable, and strategic cooperation.

Appreciating the results of talks and meetings between PM Luxon and Vietnamese leaders, Man showed his confidence that the two countries will maintain close coordination in concretising the high-level agreements reached, as well as the contents of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming time.

The top legislator affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will continue to strongly support the implementation of cooperation programmes and agreements between the two countries in the coming time.

The two leaders agreed to continue increasing exchanges and sharing experiences between high-level delegations, ministries, sectors, localities, and organisations; and expand collaboration in new areas such as climate change response, just energy transition, green economy, and smart agriculture adapted to climate change.

Luxon affirmed that New Zealand will maintain its support for Vietnam in improving the quality of agricultural products with high export values, implementing climate change response projects, providing English language training for Vietnam's key personnel, and encouraging major universities in New Zealand to strengthen ties with those in Vietnam to meet the demand for high-quality human resources development in Vietnam.

꧋ The two sides agreed to continue cooperating and supporting each other at regional and international forums. The PM of New Zealand affirmed strong support for ASEAN's centrality and expressed his desire to work towards the early establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and New Zealand./.