Vietnamese President Tô Lâm (right) and the new New Zealand Ambassador to Việt Nam Caroline Beresford had talks in Hà Nội on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — President Tô Lâm expressed his delight at the strong development of the Việt Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership over the past years while hosting a reception in Hà Nội on Thursday for newly-appointed New Zealand Ambassador to Việt Nam Caroline Beresford.

President Lâm highlighted the significance of 2025 which marks the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of the Việt Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership and is considered as an opportunity for the two nations to plan meaningful activities, including high-level visits, to solidify cooperation across all areas and propel the relationship to a new height.

Speaking highly of close collaboration in national defence-security and positive progress in bilateral economic and trade ties, he thanked New Zealand for supporting English language training and specialised training for Vietnamese officials at both central and local levels.

The President took this occasion to propose the New Zealand Government continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community studying, working and living in the country.

Beresford, for her part, also held that 2025 is a prime opportunity for New Zealand and Việt Nam to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship.

She affirmed her commitment to work closely with the two countries’ ministries, agencies and sectors to foster coordination in promising areas with the hope of elevating the bilateral relationship to a new level with practical and effective outcomes in her term of office in Việt Nam.

The ambassador expressed her hope that Việt Nam, which is serving as the coordinator of ASEAN-New Zealand relations from July 2024 to July 2027, will contribute to solidifying ties between New Zealand and the Southeast Asian region.

President Lâm underlined the importance of close bilateral coordination at multilateral forums, such as the United Nations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). He stressed that Việt Nam and New Zealand's common perspectives on global and regional issues provide a strong foundation to bolster joint efforts to build peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. — VNS