This target reflects the potential and ambition of their newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, they said during talks in Hanoi on August 28.

Both leaders noted that two-way trade stood at approximately US$1.3 billion last year and US$1.05 billion in the first seven months this year, which falls short of the partnership’s full potential. They pledged to capitalize on the complementary nature of each country's export strengths, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, food, and processed goods, to expand market access and boost exports on both sides.

They reaffirmed commitment to fully harnessing the advantages of the free trade agreements of which the two countries are members, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).

These FTAs provide favourable legal frameworks for facilitating trade flows and reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, they said.

National Assembly Chairman Man expressed Vietnam’s interest in learning from New Zealand’s expertise in areas such as the green economy, digital economy, energy transition, and clean, high-tech agriculture. These areas, he said, offer sustainable value creation and long-term trade growth opportunities.

He also proposed expanding cooperation in education and training, labour, and tourism, as well as opening a direct flight route to promote people-to-people exchanges. Accordingly, he suggested that New Zealand increase the visa quota for Vietnamese citizens participating in the Working Holiday Programme.

Regarding inter-parliamentary cooperation, National Assembly Chairman Man proposed that the two parliaments strengthen delegation exchanges, coordinate closely, and support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums. He also suggested enhanced sharing of legislative and oversight experience, and greater cooperation between the supporting bodies of the two parliaments.

Speaker Brownlee, for his part, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Government, National Assembly, and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 80th National Day, and shared his admiration for the strong sense of national pride demonstrated by the Vietnamese people during this significant time.

He emphasised the vital role of the two parliaments in listening to their citizens and contributing to stronger people-to-people ties and the friendship between the two countries. He expressed satisfaction with the growing exchanges at all levels, as well as the warm and increasingly close relationship between the peoples of both countries, fostered through cooperation in education, tourism, trade, and investment.

Agreeing with the host’s views, Speaker Brownlee stressed that in the face of growing regional and global security challenges, New Zealand and Vietnam should deepen their bilateral relationship. He affirmed that New Zealand is willing to consider increasing imports of Vietnamese products with competitive advantages, helping the two countries’ trade relations grow and achieve the goal of US$3 billion in trade turnover.

The two parliamentary leaders agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at regional and international forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms, and to align positions on international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

Chairman Man reaffirmed Vietnam’s desire to make practical contributions to strengthening ASEAN–New Zealand relations, including efforts to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and New Zealand and to successfully organise a Special Summit commemorating 50 years of ASEAN–New Zealand relations in 2025.

New Zealand Parliament Speaker arrives in Hanoi for official visit to Vietnam

VOV.VN - Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives (Parliament) Gerry Brownlee arrived on August 27 in Hanoi, commencing his official visit to Vietnam from August 27 to 31 at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.