Prime Minister Le Minh Hung congratulated Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on New Zealand’s positive achievements in maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring social welfare.

He also thanked Prime Minister Luxon for his important contributions to bilateral relations, particularly the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon affirmed that Vietnam is one of New Zealand’s priority partners and expressed his desire to further strengthen the Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He congratulated Vietnam on its impressive development achievements, emphasizing that Vietnam is among the fastest-growing economies in the region.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said New Zealand has long been a trusted partner of Vietnam, providing early support in English-language training, human resource development, public administration training and official development assistance across key sectors including agriculture, climate change response and disaster risk management.

Based on strong political trust and an effective partnership, the Vietnamese Prime Minister proposed that both countries focus on implementing six major directions for future cooperation.

The two sides agreed to continue strengthening political trust and deepen defense and security cooperation through increased exchanges, enhanced maritime capacity and stronger naval and maritime security collaboration.

The two prime ministers also agreed to continue promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation, with the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to $3 billion.

They pledged to create more favorable conditions for each country’s key products to access the other’s market and to coordinate closely in effectively implementing free trade agreements of which both nations are members.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highly appreciated Vietnam’s role as rotating chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026 and affirmed New Zealand’s support for Vietnam in successfully undertaking the role.

The two leaders also exchanged views on measures to maintain macroeconomic stability and respond to fluctuations in fuel prices, including fiscal policies and support measures for businesses and citizens.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in climate change response, energy transition and sustainable agriculture while promoting low-emission farming models and the development of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that New Zealand continue expanding scholarships for Vietnamese students and strengthen links between universities and research institutes in both countries.

He also called for efforts to establish direct flights and more convenient connecting routes between Vietnam and New Zealand to facilitate travel and people-to-people exchanges.

The two prime ministers expressed concern over complex global developments that are negatively affecting regional economies, including those of Vietnam and New Zealand, through rising fuel and transportation costs and disruptions to global supply chains.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also shared views on the importance of dialogue, international cooperation and adherence to international law in addressing regional security challenges.

They agreed to continue exchanging views and coordinating positions on regional and international issues of mutual concern, thereby strengthening political trust and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Tran Thuong