(VNF) - So said Mr. Haike Manning, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam on the ways to improve the effectiveness of the bilateral comprehensive partnership as the two nations are welcoming 40 years of diplomatic relations (June 16th, 1975 - June 16th, 2015).

Reporter: How can you assess the co-operative and friendly relations between Vietnam and New Zealand in recent years?

Ambassador Haike Manning: The relationship between New Zealand and Vietnam has strengthened considerably in recent years across a whole range of different fields, including our trade, education, development and defence links. Vietnam is an increasingly important partner for New Zealand in the region and there is much we can do together for the benefit of both countries, particularly in areas such as agriculture, food safety, and education. The celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries this year is a great opportunity for us to really build on that strong foundation.

Ambassador Haike Manning: The visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to New Zealand this March was the largest and most senior Vietnamese delegation to have ever visited New Zealand. Taking place during the 40th anniversary of relations between the two countries, the visit enabled our leaders to take stock of the excellent health of the relationship, and to look ahead to the future.

The two leaders endorsed a joint statement which provides a road map towards 2020, focusing on how we build our relationship over the next 5 years with areas of focus such as trade, where we aim to double trade to USD1.7 billion by 2020, to really expand our education links and to look at the way in which our two countries are connected - connectivity in a physical sense but also connectivity between our peoples. Two very important agreements were signed: one was a new air services agreement which allows New Zealand and Vietnamese airlines to fly direct between the two countries; we also signed a food safety agreement which is a way of pairing New Zealand’s world class safety systems and experience with an area of considerable demand here in Vietnam. Discussions on defence and security, which include cooperation in areas such as Peacekeeping, were another important part of the visit.

Reporter: What are the potentials of the two countries’ co-operation in tourism, air travel, education and agriculture as New Zealand’s advantages? What should we do?

The relationship between New Zealand and Vietnam has strengthened considerably in recent years across a whole range of different fields, including our trade, education, development and defence links. Vietnam is an increasingly important partner for New Zealand in the region and there is much we can do together for the benefit of both countries, particularly in areas such as agriculture, food safety, and education. The celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries this year is a great opportunity for us to really build on that strong foundation.

With respect to tourism and air travel, there is scope for significant growth. During his visit to New Zealand, PM Nguyen Tan Dung and New Zealand PM John Key signed an agreement to update our air services arrangements. This will be a very important development for the continued growth in tourism between the two countries. In fact, significant numbers of New Zealanders already visit each year – over 30,000 New Zealanders enjoyed tourism sites like Ha Long bay, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang… in 2014. We hope to see more Vietnamese tourists enjoying Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Queenstown… in the new future.

Reporter: Vietnam and New Zealand’s Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen defence ties in Dung’s trip in March? How can the two countries realize this?

Ambassador Haike Manning: Defence ties are an important part of the overall relationship between our two countries. During the visit of New Zealand’s Defence Minister to Vietnam in late 2013, the two countries Agreement on Defence Cooperation which provides the basis for engagement on defence issues. Areas of focus include officer training and exchange, English language training and cooperation on Peacekeeping issues which are particularly important given Vietnam’s recent involvement in UN peacekeeping operations. We also anticipate strengthening dialogue between our two Ministries of Defence which will allow for better exchange of views on regional security challenges. New Zealand and Vietnam also work closely together in regional defence and security processes, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ADMM+processes, so our defence and security engagement is regional as well as bilateral.

Reporter: What are the plans of New Zealand to raise the two countries’ trade turnover in the years to come?

Ambassador Haike Manning: During the visit by PM Nguyen Tan dung to New Zealand in March, the two sides endorsed a joint statement which provides a road map towards 2020, focusing on how we build our relationship over the next 5 years with a focus on trade, to really expand our education links and to look at the way in which our two countries are connected – connectivity in a physical sense but also connectivity between our peoples. This is a very important basis for future growth in two-way trade, continued implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA.

Finally, we need to help our businesses take advantage of the opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries. This will require greater awareness in markets through building better business connections and helping our business build more sustainable partnerships with each other.

Reporter: Thanh you very much./.

( VNF )