Vietnam wishes to promote ties with New Zealand in all fields, through all channels: NA leader

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Wellington on December 6 (Photo: VNA)

Wellington (VNA) - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on December 6 told New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that Vietnam attaches great importance to relations with the country and wishes to further promote the bilateral partnership in all fields through channels.

The Vietnamese top legislator said that together with the recent official visit to Vietnam by the New Zealand leader, his ongoing visit affirms the determination of high-ranking leaders and peoples of both countries in promoting the bilateral strategic relations.

Briefing the host on his activities in Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton, he underlined that there is room for the two countries to further beef up their cooperation for the target of 2 billion USD in two-way trade in 2024.

NA Chairman Hue suggested that the two sides further strengthen collaboration in aviation and tourism with the operation of more direct flights. He proposed that New Zealand remove trade barriers and avoid the imposition of trade defence measures against Vietnam to facilitate bilateral trade, while creating more favourable conditions for the business communities of the two sides to foster partnership and increasing trade promotion programmes.

Vietnam is willing to import goods from New Zealand and hopes to export more farm produce to the country, he said, suggesting that New Zealand open high schools and universities in Vietnam and receive more Vietnamese students. He also asked New Zealand to support Vietnamese holiday and agricultural workers to work in the country.

For her part, PM Ardern recalled her good memories of her November visit to Vietnam and said that the Vietnamese NA leader’s visit will help further promote the bilateral ties in all fields, including economy, trade, agriculture, education-training, and people-to-people exchange.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern take a photo with participants at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Agreeing with the Vietnamese NA Chairman’s proposals, PM Ardern held that with the good outcomes of high-ranking leaders’ visits, including the successful business forums in both countries, New Zealand is keen on continuing to explore the Vietnamese market and cooperation opportunities in economy, trade and investment with Vietnam.

She said she hopes the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in education, affirming that New Zealand is ready to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese workers to work in New Zealand in prioritised areas such as health care, construction and agriculture.

PM Ardern lauded the organisation of the Economic Forum and the Education Forum on the occasion of the visit, expressing her belief that the positive results of the forums will open up many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries after the pandemic. She thanked Vietnam for quickly announcing the opening of the market for New Zealand's strawberries and pumpkins, less than a month after her visit to Vietnam.

NA Chairman Hue took the occasion to thank the New Zealand Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country./.

VNA