By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - New Zealand and Vietnam have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the two sides announced Thursday.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his visiting New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, local English news site Vietnam News reported.
Following the development, New Zealand has become the 10th Comprehensive Strategic Partner of Vietnam as the two countries marked 50 years of diplomatic ties.
The two countries agreed to a strategic partnership in 2020.
Under this new framework, the bilateral relationship will be enhanced in five key areas which include defense and security, the economy, trade, science and technology, and climate change.
Earlier, Luxon met with Chinh at his Hanoi office to discuss opportunities to further deepen bilateral ties across economics, trade and investment, defense and security, education, and people-to-people connections under the new partnership, a New Zealand government statement said.
Luxon said strengthening bilateral relationship with Vietnam, which is vital for New Zealand's economic future, allows more opportunities for Kiwi businesses to access the Vietnam market.
The agreement, he added, also showed the priority the New Zealand government is placing on relationships with Southeast Asia to grow the economy, create jobs, and lift incomes.
Chinh said the new partnership will further strengthen political trust and deepen cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand.