On the afternoon of August 28, at the Party Central Committee Headquarters, General Secretary To Lam received New Zealand National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the reception, General Secretary To Lam welcomed National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee and the New Zealand National Assembly delegation for an official visit to Vietnam; highly appreciated the significance of the visit when it took place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand (1975 - 2025); as well as in the enthusiastic atmosphere of Vietnam celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2.
General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated New Zealand as a close and intimate friend, always accompanying and supporting Vietnam in the cause of national construction and development; emphasizing that strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries not only benefits the people of the two countries but also contributes to the peace, stability and common cooperation of the Asia-Pacific region.
The General Secretary suggested that the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels and through the channels of the Party, Government, National Assembly, people and businesses to increase mutual understanding. The General Secretary emphasized that in the context of many fluctuations in the world economy and trade, the two countries need to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, creating conditions for the two countries' key products to access the market, aiming for the two-way trade turnover target of 3 billion USD as set out.
General Secretary To Lam suggested that the two sides soon promote direct flights as well as visa procedures, facilitating the travel of people of the two countries.
New Zealand National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee thanked the warm and respectful reception of the Government and people of Vietnam for the Chairman of the National Assembly as well as the New Zealand National Assembly delegation.
National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee sent his congratulations to the General Secretary, leaders and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2; expressed his pleasure at visiting and admiring the heroic, exciting atmosphere and national pride of the Vietnamese people before the important event of the country; showing the special national spirit of the Vietnamese people.
National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee expressed his pleasure at witnessing Vietnam's important transformation and emphasized that New Zealand attaches importance to Vietnam's key role in Southeast Asia, considering Vietnam an important and close partner in the region; highly appreciated the two countries' sharing of many common points, especially the viewpoint on development based on economic growth combined with social and human development; affirmed that the New Zealand National Assembly, the representative body of the voice of the New Zealand people, will actively contribute to strengthening the friendly relations between the people of the two countries and bringing cooperation areas into depth.
The President of the New Zealand National Assembly welcomed Vietnamese students, scientists and researchers to New Zealand for study and research; highly appreciated the Vietnamese community in New Zealand for their very positive contributions to the locality; agreed to strengthen tourism, trade and investment cooperation, especially promoting the early establishment of direct flights between the two countries.
