Prime Minister hosts official welcome ceremony for New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted an official welcome ceremony for New Zealander Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi on February 26.
This is the first official visit to Viet Nam by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the visits takes place on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975-June 19, 2025).
New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford told VGP that: Prime Minister Luxon has a very ambitious agenda for New Zealand in terms of its relationships with Southeast Asia. His government has moved quickly to reset foreign policy, and as part of that, Viet Nam has been identified as one of New Zealand's most important partners in the region and globally.
The Prime Minister's official visit to Viet Nam not only marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, but reinforce and expand the relationship with such an important partner, according to Beresford.
The Ambassador said New Zealand is looking to play its part in Viet Nam's growth story as a trusted partner and friend
New Zealand has some modest offerings but both nations have a large degree of strategic trust. Prime Minister Luxon's visit is designed to further grow that trust as a sign of respect to Viet Nam, to pay homage to Vietnamese leadership and to demonstrate the seriousness of which New Zealand take the development of this relationship, said the diplomat.
"In New Zealand's view, ASEAN centrality is at the heart of maintaining the stability and prosperity for all peoples. New Zealand's support for ASEAN couldn't be stronger. And that's why our Prime Minister is particularly interested to attend this summit and to support Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in making some remarks to the ASEAN audience about how we see that relationship", she shared.