VOV.VN - Vietnam and New Zealand will deploy bold cooperation measures to raise their two-way trade turnover to US$3 billion by 2026 from more than US$1.32 billion recorded in 2023.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters co-chair the second Vietnam – New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi on June 5. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

To this end, the two sides will increase economic connectivity, expand market access, and effectively implement commitments within the framework of free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), as well as soon opening direct flights between the two countries.

They will also expand cooperation in new fields such as clean agriculture, green economy, digital economy, and energy transition in the Action Plan to realise the Strategic Partnership for 2024 -2027 that is being formulated.

The agreement was reached during the second Vietnam – New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting co-chaired by Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters, in Hanoi on June 5.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the positive and effective development of the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership in the fields of politics - foreign affairs, economics - trade - investment, security – defense, education - training, science - technology, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.

They also consented to coordinate closely in preparing foreign affairs activities in 2025 when the two countries celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic ties and 5 years of their Strategic Partnership, including the exchange of visits, high-level meetings and cultural and people-to-people exchanges of the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination to effectively contribute to common efforts to maintain stability, cooperation and development in the region.

With regard to the East Sea issue, the two ministers stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Peters said New Zealand prioritises cooperation with Southeast Asia, a dynamically developing region in the world, while voicing its support for ASEAN’s central role.

Son for his part emphasized that Vietnam, in its capacity as the coordinator of ASEAN-New Zealand relations for 2024 – 2027, will strive to further promote cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand. He requested that New Zealand increase cooperation for sustainable development in the Mekong Sub-region, especially including supporting regional countries to develop green agriculture in response to climate change.

Son also proposed that New Zealand coordinate to spur cooperation between ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).