(MOFA) - On 16 July 2020, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annual press conference, in response to reporter’s question on the possibilities that Vietnam and New Zealand shall upgrade into bilateral relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Le Thi Thu hang stated:

This year marks 45 years of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1975, the relationship between Vietnam and New Zealand has been developed positively and sustainably. In 2009, the two countries have elevated the relation to the comprehensive partnership, marked an important milestone for the two countries in developing more comprehensive, practical and effective cooperation in various fields.

With all the achievements, Vietnam wishes and commits together with New Zealand to raise bilateral ties to a new height in line with the spirit of the joint statement between the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to New Zealand in 2018, on the “Strengthening of comprehensive partnership towards strategic partnership”.