New Zealand Prime Minister John Phillip Key left Hanoi on November 17, concluding his four-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.

During his stay, the New Zealand leader held talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung and paid courtesy calls to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

He also attended a number of events involving businesses of both countries in aviation and education.

The two sides issued the Vietnam-New Zealand Joint Statement reaffirming the importance of fostering win-win cooperation in prioritised sectors mentioned in the 2013-2016 action plan realising the bilateral comprehensive partnership, including agriculture and agricultural trade, education, aviation, tourism, clean technology, and the management of environment and natural disaster risks.

The two countries also committed to supporting and encouraging their enterprises to seek new partnership opportunities in the framework of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Australia-New Zealand-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, aiming to maintain two-way trade growth towards the target of 1.7 billion USD in 2020.

PM Key announced a number of initiatives, including a five-year clean vegetable growing project worth 5.6 million USD, the strengthening of support in knowledge and technology through the provision of scholarships and short-term courses and English training for Vietnamese officials, and the second phase of the dyke safety project.

Both sides underscored the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the region as well ensuring maritime security and safety in the East Sea and abiding by international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They called on parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions escalating tension in the region, while stressing that all parties should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and shortly complete the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

A number of documents, including cooperation deals on civil aviation, education and health care, were signed during the visit.

The two PMs condemned the recent Paris attack and sent condolences to French people.

During his stay in Hanoi, PM Key also laid a wreath at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.

HCM City, New Zealand seek cooperation cross sectors

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem suggested cooperation with New Zealand in education, training, investment, trade, tourism, and agriculture while receiving a minister from the southern hemisphere country on November 17.

Welcoming New Zealand Minister for Economic Development and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce, the local official highlighted the thriving relations between Vietnam and New Zealand, as demonstrated through recent visits by the countries’ leaders.

Some HCM City agencies have also set up cooperation with New Zealand partners, he noted, adding that his municipality is working on the construction of a bridge featuring Vietnam – New Zealand friendship.

Air New Zealand’s opening of a direct air route linking its country with HCM City next June will surely enhance economic, trade, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two sides, Liem said.

He also asked Steven Joyce to continue encouraging New Zealand businesses’ partnership with Vietnam as the two sides have numerous cooperation potentials.

For his part, the guest said the New Zealand delegation visiting Vietnam this time comprises of those from the education and aviation sectors. They inked five cooperation agreements on education with Vietnamese universities and two others on training pilots with local airlines.

He agreed that the launching of a direct air route between New Zealand’s Auckland and HCM City will open up new opportunities for intensified exchanges and collaboration.

He also expressed his belief that the friendship bridge project to be implemented in the near future will cement connections between the nations.

Vietnam-Indonesia stronger ties hoped for ASEAN Community growth

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said he hopes his country and Vietnam will solidify political, economic, cultural and social cooperation for regional peace and stability and ASEAN Community growth.

He made the remarks at a recent reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan following the latter’s presentation of credentials.

The host leader rejoiced at the progress of the countries’ traditional friendship and cooperation while speaking highly of Vietnam’s achievements in economic development and regional and international integration.

He voiced his hope that the newly accredited diplomat will actively donate to the enhancement of relations between their Governments and peoples.

Meanwhile, Tuan said it is his honour to serve as the Ambassador to Indonesia amidst the increasingly tightened amity and strategic partnership between the two Southeast Asian nations, particularly when ASEAN is making final steps to form the ASEAN Community later this year.

He vowed to do his best to reinforce the two countries’ ties, promote the action programme on implementing their strategic partnership between 2014 and 2018, and bolster collaboration in economics, trade, investments, education-training and culture.

Tuan is also the Ambassador to Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

VNA