The relationship between Vietnam and New Zealand has gone from strength to strength over the past 40 years, especially since the two countries established their comprehensive partnership in 2009, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said. The premier gave the comment in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to New Zealand on March 19-20. The upcoming call by PM Dung will be a testament to the depth of the friendship between the two nations, the New Zealand leader said, adding that there are opportunities for expansion in many fields that will greatly benefit both countries. Along with a significant boost in trade between the two sides, evidenced by a 120 percent growth rate in two-way trade in the past five years, their cooperation in many other important areas, including agriculture, education, development assistance, and defense have also been expanded, he said.

PM Key added that the two countries will further foster ties in such fields as trade, investment, agriculture, aviation, tourism, education, and food safety in the future.

PM Dung’s visit “provides us with an excellent opportunity to look to the future, and consider how we can further enhance the Comprehensive Partnership over the next five years,” the New Zealand government chief said.

Stressing that Vietnam is a valued partner of New Zealand in the Asia Pacific region, PM Key said the two countries should continue to work together closely at many regional forums, including APEC and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

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