Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairsattended the 11th Vietnam-New Zealand Political Consultation held inWellington on March 18-19, during which both nations agreed to boost bilateralcollaboration in various sectors and make meticulous preparation for upgradingtheir ties into a strategic partnership in the coming time.

Both sides said they would work to enhance capacity in response tonon-traditional security challenges like cyber security, terrorism, moneylaundering and human trafficking, among others.

Vietnam spoke highly of New Zealand’s effective support for the country in thefields of education and training through granting graduate and post-graduatescholarships for Vietnamese students, and agriculture through improving exportcapacity for Vietnamese dragon fruit, longan, and tra fish.

Also, they discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest andreached consensus on close cooperation at regional and international forums,particularly in ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms and frameworks, at theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) andthe United Nations (UN).

New Zealand affirmed to back Vietnam to perform the role of the ASEAN 2020Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021tenure.

Meeting at the 26th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue, the Vietnamesedelegation and senior officials from ASEAN and New Zealand reaffirmed theirstrong ties and committed to fostering the ASEAN-New Zealand strategicpartnership into a more extensive manner, as well as effectively coordinatingat the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting Plus(ADMM-Plus), and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

They said that they support rules-based multilateral trading system and willwork to review and upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free tradeagreement, implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and complete negotiations for the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Both sides were unanimous about building an action plan for 2021-2025 as wellas organising activities to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishmentof their dialogue partnership in 2020.

New Zealand highlighted its support for the bloc’s central role in the regionalstructure that is open, transparent, inclusive and legally binding. Besides, itwill endorse the ASEAN to enhance economic linkages and reduce development gapthrough the People Strategy and Prosperity Strategy.

The country will continue granting scholarships for ASEAN member states todevelop human resources as well as further its cooperation with the bloc inclimate change response, sustainable environment development, anti-terrorismand cross-border crimes.

In addition, the ASEAN and New Zealand reiterated the importance of maintainingpeace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation in the EastSea, non-militarisation, self-restraint and non-complication of the situation.All disputes must be handled based on international laws, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Besides, they calledfor the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC) and negotiations to complete the Code of Conduct(COC) in the waters.

They hailed developments in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula,including the positive outcomes of the second DPRK-USA summit held in Hanoilast month.

New Zealand supported the ASEAN’s efforts in settling humanitarian problem inMyanmar’s Rakhine state.

Onthe occasion, Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries expressed their sympathiesto the New Zealand government and people over the shooting attacks that causedgreat fatalities to innocent civilians in Christchurch city. They affirmedsolidarity with New Zealand and strongly condemned terrorism and extremeviolence in all forms.-VNA