The credential presentation ceremony was held in Avarua, the capital on Rarotonga Island, with the attendance of officials from the Office of the King’s Representative, the Government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands.

At the ceremony, Sir Tom Marsters welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Cook Islands and Vietnam in April 2022, noting that the move has laid the foundation for a long-term vision for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Impressed by Vietnam’s development achievements and acknowledging the country’s increasingly important role in the region and internationally, Sir Tom Marsters affirmed that the Cook Islands attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam and pledges to working together to nurture and deepen bilateral cooperation in priority areas of shared interest. He said such cooperation would make positive contribution to peace, stability and sustainable, prosperous economic development.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Phan Minh Giang said he was honoured to assume his responsibilities as Vietnamese Ambassador to the Cook Islands. He affirmed his best effort to promote the positive development of bilateral friendship and cooperation in areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths, while strengthening coordination and mutual support at regional and international multilateral forums.

As part of the credential presentation visit, Ambassador Phan Minh Giang held meetings and working sessions with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Marine Resources, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation and the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. He also met with several local businesses to discuss directions and measures to tap potential and expand cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

The Cook Islands is an island country in the South Pacific, with a population of nearly 26,000, comprising 15 islands with a total land area of about 240 square kilometres spread across some 2.2 million square kilometres of ocean. Vietnam and the Cook Islands officially established diplomatic relations on April 26, 2022.

Government leaders of Vietnam, Australia and Cook Islands meet in Indonesia

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Mark Brown from the Cook Islands in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 7, within the framework of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings.