Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn hosts a reception for New Zealand Ambassador Tridene Dobson in Hà Nội on October 28. Photo baoquocte.vn

HÀ NỘI — Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn has suggested Việt Nam and New Zealand complete the signing of an action programme for 2021-2024 on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week to push forward their strategic partnership.

The minister made the suggestion at a reception for New Zealand Ambassador Tridene Dobson in Hà Nội on October 28.

He also urged efforts to make it easier for Vietnamese agro-fishery products to access the New Zealand market, towards the goal of bringing two-way trade to US$2 billion in 2024.

Son used the occasion to call on New Zealand to maintain its official development assistance (ODA) to Việt Nam as well as scholarships for Vietnamese officials and students.

For her part, Ambassador Dobson spoke highly of Việt Nam’s measures to contain and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic in a flexible and effective manner, saying New Zealand has also rolled out similar strategies and measures.

The ambassador said she was working with New Zealand agencies on how to help Việt Nam cope with COVID-19, and thanked the Southeast Asian nation for its support to New Zealand in the early days when the island nation took over the APEC Chairmanship in 2021.

New Zealand attaches importance to developing the strategic partnership with Việt Nam in various fields, she said, informing her host that New Zealand is implementing many development programmes to help Việt Nam respond to climate change, develop rural areas and improve women’s capacity. — VNS