At the meeting on November 2, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dao Viet Trung and his New Zealand counterpart, Tony Browne, expressed their pleasure with recent progress in Vietnam-New Zealand relations.

They emphasised the significance of Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to New Zealand in September to establish a Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

The two delegations briefly discussed an action plan for the 2010-2013 period to implement comprehensive cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment, Official Development Assistance (ODA), education and training, labour, science and technology, agriculture, transportation, and telecommunications. They are hoping the plan can be signed in early 2010.

The two sides discussed international and regional issues such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and United Nations forums.

They pledged greater cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand when Vietnam takes over the ASEAN presidency in 2010.

They also agreed to hold the eight consultation in Vietnam in 2010 and a host of political and cultural events in celebration of the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations.