During the talks, the two sides informed each other about diplomatic policies of their respective countries as well as discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Deputy FM Trung said Vietnam persist in its foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralisation to proactively integrate into the world, underlining that the country attaches great importance to its comprehensive partnership with New Zealand.

The officials screened the implementation of the Vietnam-New Zealand Action Plan in the 2010-2013 period and both were pleased with positive outcomes attained in the fields of politics, economy, security, defence, education and labour affairs.
They also talked about further cooperation between the two foreign ministries, agreeing to coordinate more closely in the implementation of the 2010-2013 Vietnam-New Zealand Action Plan and preparations for the upcoming high-ranking visits.

Secretary Allen affirmed that the New Zealand Foreign Ministry will increase English skills training to Vietnamese officials.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation in international and regional forums, such as the East Asian Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) and the United Nations.

At the consultation, Secretary Allen passed on Prime Minister John Key’s letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to thank him for the Vietnamese Government’s provision of US$50,000 as emergency aid to New Zealand to help it recover from the consequences of a major earthquake in Christchurch.

The two officials agreed to convene the 9^th political consultation in New Zealand in 2013.