Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung (R) and Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand (Photo: VNA) A Joint Communiqué announcing the establishment was signed in Wellington, New Zealand, by Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung, who is on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, and ElizabethWright-Koteka, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, who is on behalf of the Government of the Cook Islands.
The two sides agreed to officially establish their diplomaticties at the ambassadorial level from the date of signing the Joint Communiquéand apply the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations in the twocountries’ relationship.
After the signing ceremony, Ambassador Trung discussed withHigh Commissioner Elizabeth about activities to enhance mutual understandingand develop solidarity and friendship between the two peoples.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to intensifycollaboration in their advantageous fields such as tourism, agriculture andfisheries, and exchange experience in climate change response and COVID-19prevention and control.
They were also unanimous to coordinate at Asia-Pacificforums as well as in United Nations (UN) organisations.
With this move, Vietnam has had diplomatic relations with190 countries around the world. Vietnam is the 57th country in the world andthe sixth in ASEAN that the Cook Islands has officially set up diplomatic relationswith.
The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with apopulation of 20,200 (2019’s data) and 15 main islands. It boasts rich marineand ocean resources, including fisheries and pearling./.
VNA
