Vietnam, Cook Islands set up diplomatic ties

A Joint Communiqué announcing the establishment was signed in Wellington, New Zealand, by Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung, who is on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, and Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, who is on behalf of the Government of the Cook Islands.

The two sides agreed to officially establish their diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level from the date of signing the Joint Communiqué and apply the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations in the two countries’ relationship.

After the signing ceremony, Ambassador Trung discussed with High Commissioner Elizabeth about activities to enhance mutual understanding and develop solidarity and friendship between the two peoples.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to intensify collaboration in their advantageous fields such as tourism, agriculture and fisheries, and exchange experience in climate change response and COVID-19 prevention and control.

They were also unanimous to coordinate at Asia-Pacific forums as well as in United Nations (UN) organisations.

With this move, Vietnam has had diplomatic relations with 190 countries around the world. Vietnam is the 57th country in the world and the sixth in ASEAN that the Cook Islands has officially set up diplomatic relations with.

The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with a population of 20,200 (2019’s data) and 15 main islands. It boasts rich marine and ocean resources, including fisheries and pearling.