New Zealand, Vietnam sign 3 agreements to boost bilateral relations

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - New Zealand and Vietnam signed Monday three agreements to boost bilateral relations.

The agreements in education, trade, and finance were signed during an official trip to Wellington by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the nations were “committed to working together to advance our strategic partnership."

Pham is on an official three-day trip to New Zealand.

Wellington has also announced a new investment in Vietnam’s horticulture sector -- the ‘VietFruit’ project which will be delivered through a partnership with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, said Luxon on X.

The visit by Pham “is strengthening our friendship with Vietnam and progressing business that will return stronger results for our economy,” said Luxon.

Luxon and Pham also discussed the disputed South China Sea and the two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters and peacefully resolving disputes based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to an official statement.

Hanoi and Wellington will also exchange opinions and information, increase maritime cooperation, and make joint efforts on the disputed waters.

The two Asian nations established diplomatic relations in 1975 and later elevated ties to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

Last year, the bilateral trade between Vietnam and New Zealand rose to $1.3 billion.