Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Lê Hoài Trung (right) had talks with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Lê Hoài Trung received visiting New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Praising Việt Nam's development achievements and its foreign policy of independence, Peters affirmed that New Zealand has treasured the nation’s increasing role in the region and international arena, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He noted that the bilateral relations have continued to thrive in recent years, especially through high-level meetings, notably the official visit to New Zealand by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính in March this year.

The Deputy PM stressed there remains significant potential to further enhance the New Zealand-Việt Nam strategic partnership towards the establishment of a new relationship framework in the near future.

The leader affirmed that New Zealand agencies will closely collaborate with their Vietnamese counterparts to step up practical cooperation, particularly as the two countries will celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2025.

Having expressed his gratitude to New Zealand for its valuable support and assistance to Vietnam, especially since the outset of the country’s đổi mới (reform) period, Trung praised New Zealand's achievements and prosperity across various fields.

He affirmed that the CPV and Government of Việt Nam always highly value and want to strengthen the strategic partnership with New Zealand.

The official proposed several directions to enhance collaboration in various channels, including the relationship between the CPV and major political parties in New Zealand as well as the two countries’ cooperation at regional and international forums and in key areas where New Zealand has strengths and Việt Nam has development needs such as education, agriculture, high technology, and climate change response. — VNS