WNAM REPORT: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official visit to Vietnam from February 25 to 28 aims at reinforcing and expanding relations with the Southeast Asian nation – a leading partner of New Zealand in the region and the world, a diplomat has said.
In an interview, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford described a relationship as a piece of cloth and its structure like threads woven together for strength, saying that PM Luxon’s trip set sights on tightening these threads, particularly in the current unpredictable global context.
Reflecting on the half-century of the bilateral relations and five years of the Strategic Partnership, the diplomat noted the remarkable progress from initial education scholarship programmes to today’s comprehensive collaboration in the domains of politics, economy, agriculture, sustainable development, climate change, and research.
A significant development step was the inaugural Vietnam – New Zealand Oceans Dialogue in December last year, establishing new pathways for discussions on maritime interests and cooperation, she said, adding both nations have worked together on issues of mutual concern and had consistent approaches in supporting international order and the rule of law. She underscored that both countries strongly advocate for free and open trade for their prosperity.
The ambassador expressed her hope that the visit will yield new business opportunities, with more than 20 leading New Zealand business leaders accompanying the Prime Minister planning to sign new cooperation agreements with Vietnamese partners. She said that while traditional areas of cooperation like agriculture and education will continue to be strengthened, New Zealand’s latest scientific and technological advances could be leveraged to add value to these sectors, helping to elevate the bilateral ties to a new height.
During his stay, PM Luxon will attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum, which Beresford praised as an important initiative by Vietnam to discuss the bloc’s future amidst global uncertainties.
She laid stress on New Zealand’s strong support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s central role in maintaining regional stability and prosperity, noting the country will continue to consolidating its relations with ASEAN, which are going to enter the 5th year of Strategic Partnership this year, while strengthening its cooperation ties with Vietnam within the ASEAN framework.
