Australia, Vietnam agree to beef up all-around co-operation

At the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, PM Chinh appreciated Australia’s support in overcoming the consequences of typhoon Yagi.

The two leaders noted with pleasure the fruitful developments recorded in bilateral relations over recent times and discussed further co-operation orientations for the time ahead.

They agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, continue effectively implementing the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), and promote collaboration in security-defence, labour, education-training, agriculture, science-technology, tourism, locality-to-locality connectivity, and people-to-people exchange, among other spheres.

The PMs also concurred to further instruct ministries and agencies of both nations to effectively implement the co-operation agreements reached by their leaders in the past.

PM Albanese affirmed that Australia places importance on boosting its relationship with the Vietnamese side, noting the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a new chapter in relations.

Australia will continue to prioritise its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, particularly in the areas where the nation has demand, such as climate change adaptation, energy transition, digital transformation, and digital economy, he pledged.

PM Chinh suggested that the Australian side make greater contributions to promoting dialogue, co-operation, and trust-building through ASEAN-led mechanisms, on the basis of respect for the bloc’s centrality, as well as consultations.

These efforts will serve to ensure peace, stability, and development in the region and the world as a whole, he said, calling on Australia to continue its support for ASEAN's efforts in narrowing the development gap, as well as its assistance to sub-regional co-operation, including the Mekong sub-region.