(VOVWORLD) -The Vietnam-New Zealand relationship has over the past half century been nurtured, consolidated and developed with great strides forward, said Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son.
 Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son speaks at the ceremony. Photo: Viet Duc/VNA
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Minister Son addressed a ceremony organized by the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi on Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries (June 19) and welcome the traditional New Year of Matariki of New Zealand.
“New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam's most important partners in the region with high political trust, reliable and close defense and security cooperation, and open economic, trade and investment cooperation. Key areas of cooperation such as agriculture, education, science and technology and climate change response continue to be boosted. Two-way trade turnover has increased steadily over the years, from 300 million USD in 2009 to more than 1.3 billion USD now, a more than four times increase,” Mr. Son said.
New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford said that Vietnam and New Zealand are currently building a deep and long-term partnership. She expressed her belief that extensive cooperation between the two countries will help enhance cultural understanding, foster trust, bring prosperity and contribute to regional stability.