Vietnam and New Zealand enhance cooperation

• Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs bolster cooperation
• Security cooperation promoted between Nghe An and 3 provinces of Laos
• Enhancing cooperation in drug combat in Sub-Mekong Region

Minister To Lam and New Zealand Ambassador

Minister To Lam expressed his pleasure over the fine developments in the bilateral and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and New Zealand in various fields, including politics, economics, trade, investment as well as education and training. Particularly, the two nations succeeded in establishing a “Comprehensive Partnership”.

Additionally, cooperation of police forces of the two countries on crime prevention and fight has been considered by both a priority.

Regarding cooperation of the police forces, in recent times, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the New Zealand Police have effectively conducted exchanges of delegations and working visits to share information related to criminal activities and seek consensus on orientations to promote bilateral cooperation.

Minister Lam stressed that the MPS of Vietnam always attaches great importance to its relationship and cooperation with New Zealand’s partners. He said, the Vietnamese side has satisfied with the fine outcomes of cooperation in recent years, and hoped that both sides will further enhance cooperation. The Vietnamese Minister also asked the bilateral mixed working groups to tighten cooperation to effectively implement the agreement on transnational crime combat, to further exchange information about transnational and organized crimes relating to both countries as well as information about terrorist schemes, threatening the two countries’ security, particularly attempts aimed at events of the 2017 APEC in Vietnam, and information about transnational drug trafficking rings as the direct flight between Vietnam and New Zealand had opened.

Minister To Lam hoped that the New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam will continue to promote and fulfill her mission and facilitate multisided cooperation between the two countries, especially on security and defense.

Ambassador Wendy Matthews thanked Minister Lam for his reception, and affirmed that she would spare no effort to promote cooperation, strengthen the Vietnam - New Zealand comprehensive partnership in a more effective, profound and substantial manner. Additionally, the Ambassador added that she will continue to work closely with Vietnam’s ministries and sectors to prepare for the upcoming high-level Vietnam visits as well as to successfully organize the 2017 APEC.