Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee. Photo: VOV

During a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday, the two agreed to strengthen Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation in all areas, including politics, foreign affairs, delegation exchanges, and high-level contacts, and maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They pleaded to promptly propose a strategy to connect the two economies, push the signing of agreements on economics, trade, and investment, and facilitate the opening of markets for each other's agricultural products to diversify the supply chain.

They both said they favor unlocking new fields like the green economy, the digital economy, digital transformation, science, technology, innovation, and climate change response, and continuing to boost defense-security cooperation and UN peacekeeping activities.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation in education and training, to consider opening a direct flight soon.

House Speaker Brownlee said the New Zealand Government and Parliament prioritize strengthening relations with Vietnam, an important partner in New Zealand's regional foreign policy.