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Party and State leaders receive New Zealand PM

VGP - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang on November 16 received New Zealand PM John Key currently on a visit to Viet Nam from November 15-18 at the invitation of PM Nguyen Tan Dung.

November 17, 2015 10:52 AM GMT+7
 
Meeting with the Party leader, PM John Key briefed him on the outcomes of his talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung.

Highlighting Viet Nam’s socio-economic progress and its role in the region, PM Key affirmed the importance of forging mutually beneficial collaboration with Viet Nam in prioritised fields like agriculture, agricultural trade, education and aviation.

The two sides will see greater cooperation chances generated by the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal and the Australia-New Zealand-ASEAN free trade agreement, he noted.

He praised Viet Nam’s role in the region, voicing his nation's desire to bolster bilateral cooperation with Viet Nam and emphasizing the importance of mutual support at international forums and the UN.

The Party chief in turn reiterated Viet Nam’s foreign policy of strengthening cooperation with traditional friends including New Zealand. He said he hoped the two countries would further bilateral ties to realize their 2013-2016 Action Program which aims to deepen the Comprehensive Partnership towards a strategic partnership between the two countries.

At a reception for the NZ Prime Minister the same day, President Sang expressed his delight at bilateral cooperation in all sectors and appreciated New Zealand’s support for Viet Nam at international forums and Viet Nam’s views on the East Sea issue.

He said the international community, including New Zealand, plays a crucial role in maintaining regional peace, pushing ahead with the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the East Sea (COC), and not militarizing, expanding, or complicating the situation.

For his part, PM Key said his entourage includes a considerable number of agencies and enterprises seeking cooperation opportunities in Viet Nam.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in which both New Zealand and Viet Nam are members, will pave the way for them to become strategic partners, he assured. - VOV