Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung attends the 28th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue. (Photo: VNA) Lastyear, the two sides commemorated the 45th anniversary ofdialogue relations and adopted a new ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action2021-2025, to mark a new chapter in their relations.
Atthe dialogue, the officials noted the full implementation of the ASEAN-New ZealandPlan of Action (2016-2020), and underlined the need to further enhancecooperation between the two sides under the new Plan of Action.
Themeeting identified a number of key areas in the new Plan of Action, where ASEANand New Zealand could enhance their collaboration, such as maritime security, fightagainst illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, sustainabledevelopment, marine sustainability, trade, investment and economic recovery plan,renewable energy, disaster risk management, settlement of climate change,healthcare, human capital development, education, and people-to-peopleconnection.
In advancing economic cooperation, both sides look forward to the upgradenegotiations of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FreeTrade Area (AANZFTA), as well as the conclusion of the negotiation of theRegional Air Services Agreement between ASEAN and New Zealand.
Theyalso welcomed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP) Agreement in November last year, and look forward to an early entry intoforce of the agreement next year.
Themeeting exchanged views on regional and international issues of commoninterest, highlighting the importance of ASEAN-led mechanisms and ASEAN's centrality in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.
ASEAN senior officials commended New Zealand’s success in mitigating the COVID-19pandemic and its efforts toward establishing a travel bubble between Australiaand New Zealand. They also appreciated New Zealand’s support and contributionto the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund./.
VNA
