They reached the agreement during a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Raymond Peters within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea.

Minh suggested New Zealand increase the number of Vietnamese citizens participating in the annual working holiday programme and thanked the country’s Parliament for approving the non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) provision for Vietnam in the 2018-2021 period. 

Winston Raymond Peters spoke highly of Vietnam’s ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), saying it reflects the country’s determination to continue comprehensive renovation and intensive international integration.

The CPTPP will offer a chance for New Zealand to strengthen its trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam, he said, vowing to work closely with and support the Southeast Asian country in the implementation of the agreement.  

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the United Nations (UN). 

They emphasised the importance of maintaining regional security, stability and order on the basis of international law as well as ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and trade activities that do not hinder peace and development in the region.-VNA