(Photo: VOV)

During his 3-day visit, Mr. Phuc held talks with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents. PM Phuc met New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Trevor Mallard, had a phone call with New Zealand’s Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, and met Auckland’s Mayor. The government leader attended the Vietnam-New Zealand Business Forum in Auckland, received leaders of several New Zealand groups and leading businesses, and visited the Plant and Food Research of New Zealand. Mr. Phuc visited the Auckland University of Technology, had an exchange with students of the University of Waikato, and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in New Zealand.

At the meetings, leaders of both countries agreed on increasing delegations at all levels, holding people-to-people exchanges, and implementing specific cooperation activities as part of the action plan on defense cooperation until 2021.

The leaders also agreed to boost investment and trade promotion to bring bilateral trade to 1.7–2 billion USD by 2020.

They underscored the importance of focusing cooperation on education, considering it a great potential area. The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of 3 documents in economics and trade, food safety and quality management, and education and training.

On this occasion the two sides also issued a joint statement on enhancing the comprehensive partnership towards a strategic partnership.