New Zealand regards Viet Nam as important partner in Southeast Asia

Welcoming the positive momentum in the bilateral relations, Prime Minister Le reaffirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to its ties with New Zealand and praised the increasingly substantive and effective cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that both sides are actively implementing the 2025–2030 Action Program for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which focuses on five key pillars of cooperation.

To further strengthen political trust, Le called for thorough preparations for upcoming high-level exchanges, expressing his hope to welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit Viet Nam and attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2027.

Le also called on the two sides to take stronger measures to raise the two-way trade to US$3 billion at an early date, including by removing technical barriers, improving market access for competitive products, and making better use of the free trade agreements to which both countries are parties.

He also proposed expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and renewable energy, including wind and solar power, stressing that Viet Nam considers science, technology and innovation key drivers of its new growth model and long-term sustainable development.

The Prime Minister further called for closer cooperation in education and training to develop a highly skilled workforce, more substantive collaboration in defense and security, and efforts to establish direct air services or more convenient flight connections to boost tourism, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties.

For her part, Ambassador Beresford congratulated Viet Nam on its impressive socio-economic achievements and reaffirmed that New Zealand regards Viet Nam as an important partner in Southeast Asia.

Beresford stressed that New Zealand stands ready to accompany and support Viet Nam in achieving its development goals and pledged to continue promoting the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade and investment, education and training, high-tech agriculture, and science and technology.

Sharing the Prime Minister's vision for future cooperation, the Ambassador said she would continue working closely with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities to deepen bilateral cooperation across all sectors. She also underscored the importance of careful preparations for upcoming high-level exchanges, creating new momentum for trade and investment, and partnering with Viet Nam in developing a green and digital economy.

On regional and international issues, the two sides agreed to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums. 

Ambassador Beresford also reaffirmed New Zealand's support for ASEAN's central role and its commitment to assisting Viet Nam in successfully hosting APEC 2027./.