New Zealand Parliament Speaker: 'Vietnam's aspiration and perseverance over the years is what impresses me most'

Despite his busy schedule, New Zealand Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee still took time to share with the press about his official visit to Vietnam, especially his impressions of Vietnam's development.

General Secretary To Lam received Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerry Brownlee during his visit to Vietnam on August 28. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

In 2025, Vietnam and New Zealand will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the two countries have just upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (February 2025). What is the significance of this milestone and what benefits will it bring to bilateral cooperation in the coming time, Mr. Chairman of the National Assembly?

New Zealand considers Vietnam a very important partner, especially given the leading role that Vietnam plays in ASEAN as well as many other multilateral agreements.

We cherish the valuable friendship with Vietnam, which has been built and nurtured over the past 50 years and can go further. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is built on a foundation of extensive cooperation.

New Zealand Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee speaks to the press on August 28. (Photo: Anh Duc)

Both countries are active in international trade and have a target of increasing two-way trade to around US$3 billion by 2026. With a population of only 5 million like New Zealand, we will strive to achieve that goal. Personally, I think we can do better.

Equally important, the people-to-people ties between the two countries will continue to be strengthened and enhanced. We hope that more Vietnamese people will come to New Zealand to study, research and do business; and vice versa, Vietnam will also welcome New Zealanders, thereby connecting the people of the two countries.

On parliamentary cooperation, processes may differ between our two countries, but we will seek to promote cooperation between our parliaments and relevant agencies at the highest possible level. Parliaments in any country are important because they bring together the voices of the people. New Zealand's parliament is very open, with the participation of many different political parties, reflecting diverse views.

Vietnam and New Zealand work closely in regional and international frameworks such as ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, and are both members of important trade agreements such as CPTPP and RCEP. According to the National Assembly Chairman, how have these frameworks contributed to promoting economic and trade relations as well as ensuring common strategic interests?

New Zealand considers Vietnam a reliable partner in the region, especially in implementing multilateral agreements of which both countries are members.

There are many changes in the international situation, including tariff challenges, affecting all countries. For New Zealand, building strong relationships with countries in the region is extremely important.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Gerry Brownlee visit an exhibition of images on Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation on August 28. (Source: VGP)

We see Vietnam as a strategic leader in the region, with great aspirations for economic development. Economic growth is the path to improving the lives of people in any country. Therefore, we want to learn a lot from how Vietnam has achieved such impressive growth rates in the current challenging global context.

The visit of the National Assembly Chairman takes place at a time when Vietnam is preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2. Looking back over the past 80 years, what development achievements of Vietnam impresses the National Assembly Chairman the most?

Being a guest in Vietnam, just a few days before the National Day celebration on September 2nd, was a special experience.

Right here in the capital Hanoi and I believe all over Vietnam, we can clearly feel the excitement of the people in the atmosphere of celebrating Independence Day; affirming Vietnam as an independent nation, contributing to world peace. That atmosphere spreads on the streets, through flags, costumes, and the excitement of the people. To witness this moment directly is a great honor for us.

As a teenager, we followed the difficult journey that Vietnam had to go through after its founding in 1945. Vietnam has gradually emerged from that period to become a peaceful and developed country. In my opinion, this is a miracle.

Since the return of peace, Vietnam has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Today, the country is on the verge of a quantum leap in GDP per capita growth, which will improve the lives of its people. It is this aspiration and perseverance over the years that has impressed us most.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held talks with New Zealand Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee on August 28. (Source: quochoi.vn)

New Zealand has recently increased the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students by 56%. In the coming time, what steps will New Zealand take to continue attracting Vietnamese students and deepen educational and training cooperation between the two countries, Mr. Chairman of the National Assembly?

First of all, New Zealand is a peaceful country. Although geographically far from Vietnam, the Vietnamese community in New Zealand is small but close-knit and represents your country very well.

New Zealand universities are all in the top 2% of the world, with very high quality education. New Zealand offers scholarships to create conditions for those who will become the future leaders of Vietnam to have the opportunity to study in New Zealand, not only to keep beautiful memories but also to be able to develop the knowledge they have been equipped to contribute to both Vietnam and New Zealand.

This delegation includes Senator Lan Pham, a Vietnamese-American who is currently a member of the New Zealand Parliament. This shows that the Vietnamese community is well represented in New Zealand society.

Scholarships are an important way to promote education and help students share their experiences. I hope that as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to develop, the number of scholarships will not only be maintained but also further expanded.

Regarding regional and global issues such as peacekeeping, climate change response and sustainable development, according to the National Assembly Chairman, how can the two countries cooperate more closely to contribute to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world?

Vietnam has affirmed its independent foreign policy, not choosing sides, and this is very consistent with global peacekeeping goals.

New Zealand currently has peacekeeping forces in around 32 conflict zones around the world. Some of these operations span many years, with our presence in the Sinai Desert dating back to 1972. We also have peacekeeping forces in the Golan Heights, on the Syria-Jordan border, as well as in Sudan and elsewhere.

The need for peacekeeping forces will only grow in the future. I believe that the international community will look to countries like Vietnam that are deeply committed to peace. There are also many opportunities for Vietnam and New Zealand to work more closely together in this area.

Thank you very much, Mr. President of the National Assembly!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chu-tich-quoc-hoi-new-zealand-khat-vong-va-su-ben-bi-cua-viet-nam-suot-nhieu-nam-qua-la-dieu-toi-an-tuong-nhat-325954.html