PM Pham Minh Chinh hails fruitful Vietnam – Australia cooperation
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh lauded the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and Australian during his reception for outgoing Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski in Hanoi on December 27.
Congratulating Goledzinowski on successfully completing his term, Chinh acknowledged the ambassador’s significant contributions to the development of Vietnam-Australia relations and expressed his hope that the ambassador would continue supporting bilateral cooperation in various fields.
He thanked Australia for close cooperation, support, and solidarity with Vietnam over the years, particularly the provision of COVID-19 vaccines and human resources training during challenging periods.
Both host and guest noted with pleasure the progress in Vietnam-Australia relations over the past year, including the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which reflects high strategic trust and opens up extensive opportunities for future cooperation.
The two countries have maintained regular visits and dialogues between senior officials and signed an Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2024–2027.
Bilateral trade has grown positively, with two-way trade reaching US$13.8 billion last year, and US$13 billion by November 2024, a 2.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Australia has prioritized Vietnam in its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, focusing on investment promotion. By August 31, 2024, Australia had 660 projects in Vietnam with a total capital of US$2.05 billion, ranking 21st among 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral ties by maintaining high-level visits, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening cooperation in tourism and education. Specific proposals included expanding RMIT University in Vietnam and increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students.
Viewing defense cooperation as a highlight of bilateral ties, the PM called for further cooperation in training, cyber security, peacekeeping partnerships, as well as in addressing war legacy issues, so as to foster peace, stability, and development in the region.
He urged both sides to enhance market access, remove trade barriers, and encourage stronger Australian investments in Vietnam. He also suggested Australia enhance cooperation in digital transformation, green growth, and the development of key industries such as semiconductors, AI, and renewable energy.
Ambassador Goledzinowski for his part committed to continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in the areas proposed by the Prime Minister. He praised the rapid development of Vietnam-Australia relations, noting that progress in recent years was akin to achieving a decade in one year.
Australia aims to become Vietnam’s top partner in agriculture, technology, green energy transition, rare earth minerals, and security and defense cooperation, said the diplomat.
The ambassador expressed his optimism about Vietnam’s new development policy line, and believed that Vietnam would realize its potential, entering a new era of national advancement as Asia’s next tiger.
