State President Truong Tan Sang (R) and New Zealand's Governor General Jerry Mateparae, Ha Noi, August 5, 2013 - Photo: VNA |
State President Sang welcomed the Governor General and his spouse to Viet Nam, describing the guest’s visit as a visit symbol of the two nations’ relationship.
He said he believes that the visit would contribute to strengthening and consolidating the two countries’ comprehensive partnership.
The two leaders applauded the two countries’ relations in the recent four years, especially after the upgrade of the ties to comprehensive partnership in 2009.
In 2012, two-way trade reached nearly US$600 million. New Zealand invested in 20 projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital of US$77.8 million.
New Zealand has maintained its official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam at around US$10 million in the fields of education and training, agriculture, natural disaster risk management and human resources development in recent years.
The two sides agreed to raise two-way trade to US$1 billion by the end of 2015.
They intended to sign an Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and soon start negotiations on Mutual Recognition Agreement on quality management, food safety and agriculture-aquaculture and forestry exports.
The two leaders re-affirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security and free shipping in the East Sea.
On this occasion, the Governor General invited State President Truong Tan Sang to pay an official visit to New Zealand.
By Thuy Dung