Vietnamese PM meets New Zealand governor-general

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met here on Tuesday with visiting New Zealand's Governor- General Jerry Mateparae, saying the latter's visit is an important contribution to lifting bilateral ties to a new level. Vietnam attaches importance to further promoting all-sided cooperation with New Zealand, especially in economy, trade and investment, said Nguyen Tan Dung. He added that the Vietnamese government will instruct relevant agencies to closely coordinate with their New Zealand counterparts in effectively implementing the agreements signed during the governor-general's visit to Vietnam this time. He also suggested with the current mechanism, the two sides should try their best to implement the Vietnam-New Zealand Action Plan in 2013-2016 period, as well as support each other at regional and international forums. Mateparae said his visit aimed at cementing and strengthening relations and cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, particularly economy, trade and investment, agriculture, education, aviation, clean technology, tourism, and response to climate change. New Zealand is ready to speed up educational cooperation with Vietnam, the governor-general stressed, adding that New Zealand will also closely cooperate with Vietnam in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) free trade agreement. Mateparae paid a six-day visit to Vietnam, starting August 3, at the invitation of Vietnamese president Truong Tan Sang, to boost ties.