New Zealand Commits to Triple Aid for Vietnam
New Zealand will increase its direct official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam to NZD10 million ($7.3 million) in the 2007-08 fiscal year from the current NZD3 million.
Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark made the pledge yesterday in Wellington when talking with her Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Khai, who is visiting the foreign country from May 7-11.
Ms. Clark announced that her country would continue providing assistance to Vietnam in holding a Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2006 and strong support for Vietnam's bid to join the WTO.
During the talks, the two top leaders discussed measures to expand more cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand, particularly in the field of economics, trade and investment.
New Zealand ranks 33rd among foreign trade partners of Vietnam while Vietnam is placed the 31st among countries conducting trade ties with New Zealand. Their two-way trade rose to $156.13 million last year from $114 million in 2003 and $94 million in 2002.
The two prime ministers agreed to establish the Joint Trade and Economic Committee (JTEC) to create the necessary frameworks to resolve key issues and boost business and trade cooperation, and create advantages for investment activities.
The committee will meet for the first time in New Zealand in late 2005, they said.
Khai also said to the host that Vietnam would set up its trade office in New Zealand in the coming time.
Khai and his counterpart also examined measures to promote cooperation in education and training, tourism, agriculture and health care, and committed to boost bilateral ties in security and national defense, especially in fighting transnational crime and international terrorism, as well as in security issues relating specifically to the two countries.
Discussing regional and international issues, the guest supported New Zealand's positive attitude towards joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He and Ms. Clark agreed to give priority to negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand.
After the talks, the two top officials signed a joint statement on Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation.
Also yesterday, Khai met the leader of New Zealand's opposition National Party, Don Brash.
Vietnam and New Zealand are preparing to mark the 30-year anniversary of their diplomatic relations, which was established in 1975. The two countries signed an economic and commercial co-operation agreement on July 18, 1994.
By last June, New Zealand had granted NZD18.4 million ($9.2 million) to Vietnam. New Zealand's aid to Vietnam rose from NZD2.7 million in the 2002-03 fiscal year to NZD3.06 million in the 2003-04 fiscal year. It has also granted Vietnam another NZD2 million in humanitarian aid through multilateral mechanisms.
P.V
Vietnamese
