Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted separate meetings in Da Nang city on November 9 with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters, and Papua New Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.
At their meeting, Minh and Peters expressed their satisfaction with strong development of the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership as well as cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries.
They affirmed to work closely in carrying out the bilateral Programme of Action during 2017-2020 in order to further deepen the bilateral ties.
Minh asked New Zealand to continue technical assistance and facilitate the export of Vietnamese agricultural products, while Peters suggested the two sides pay attention to boost cooperation in their strong fields such as trade, labour, tourism, and health.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and agreed to continue close coordination, particularly in ASEAN mechanisms, to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The New Zealand guest announced that his country’s Government will provide 500,000 NZD (347,700 USD) for Vietnam to tackle consequences of storm Damrey, which hit Vietnam’s south central coast on November 4. Following downpours and floods had claimed 89 lives and left 18 missing and 174 others injured in central and Central Highlands localities as of November 7.
On this occasion, the two Deputy PMs signed the Vietnam-New Zealand Programme of Action for 2017-2020.
The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Papua New Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato (Source: VNA)In another development, Minh and Papua New Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Rimbink Pato agreed to continue close coordination to step up high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges, and intensify cooperation in such potential fields as agriculture and fisheries.
Minh spoke highly of Papua New Guinea’s backing for the APEC Vietnam Year 2017, affirming to support and share experience to help the country organise the APEC Year 2018 successfully.
He asked Papua New Guinea to maintain cooperation with Vietnam in solving issues related to Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels in the humanitarian and friendship spirit.
Acknowledging the proposal, Rimbink Pato requested both sides to consider the possibility of cooperation in fishing.-VNA
VNA
