Hanoi, August 6 (VNA) – Leaders of Vietnam and New Zealand have affirmed that both nations will work closely together in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in the time ahead.
Meeting Governor General of New Zealand Jerry Mateparae in Hanoi on August 6, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made it clear that Vietnam treasures and wishes to further cement all-inclusive links with New Zealand, especially in economics, trade and investment.
The Government of Vietnam will direct ministries and departments to work with the New Zealand side to effectively realise cooperation agreements reached during the visit, PM Dung said.
Using existing mechanisms, he suggested the two sides endeavour to implement the 2013-2016 Vietnam-New Zealand Action Programme, under which they will support each other at regional and global forums while maintaining the exchange of all-level delegations to reach a consensus on wide-ranging cooperative deals.
At the same time, the two nations need to tap their investment and trade potential to the fullest to lift two-way trade to a more impressive figure.
The Government leader said he expects New Zealand will continue providing Vietnam with official development assistance (ODA), pledging that Vietnam will make the most of the aid for its development goals.
He also voiced his desire that New Zealand will offer more scholarships to Vietnamese students, enabling them to pursue their studies in the country.
Mateparae said his visit is to further tighten bilateral cooperation and friendship in various realms, particularly in economics, trade, investment, agriculture, education, aviation, clean technology, tourism and coping with climate change.
He also said he hopes Vietnam will back New Zealand’s trade expansion with ASEAN member countries.
The guest suggested the two sides support each other at regional and global forums for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.
Vowing to promote education cooperation with Vietnam, he committed to providing more scholarships for Vietnamese students and open educational facilities in the Southeast Asian nation.
The Governor General underscored education as a key priority in his country’s bilateral relations with Vietnam, especially in an action programme on implementing the comprehensive partnership between the two countries at a ceremony in Hanoi the same day marking Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation.
Vietnam is ranked ninth among nations that have the largest number of students in New Zealand. Last year, more than 2,000 Vietnamese students were reported to be studying in the country, up 90 percent since 2008.
Over 400 Vietnamese officials participated in a New Zealand aid programme called “English Language Teaching for Officials”.
Earlier, the Governor General laid a wreath in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.
Vietnam News Agency
