During the meeting, that took place on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-58), both ministers expressed satisfaction with the substantive progress in the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They agreed to coordinate closely in preparation for upcoming high-level visits and the seventh Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Vietnam.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation within multilateral trade frameworks, removing trade barriers, and enhancing market access through bilateral and regional free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Son proposed that Australia expand its quotas and opportunities for skilled Vietnamese workers in sectors like healthcare, tourism services, and information technology, and facilitate Vietnamese student mobility.

He called for the effective implementation of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural labour and proposed signing a new MoU on the digital economy.

Wong, for her part, affirmed Australia’s readiness to share its experience and technical expertise with Vietnam in green transition, carbon markets, digitalisation, and emerging technologies.

On regional and international matters, Son said Vietnam highly values Australia’s role, contributions, and strong commitment to Southeast Asia, including on the East Sea issue. He encouraged Australia to enhance cooperation with Mekong sub-regional countries to promote sustainable development in the region.

Both sides agreed on an approach that upholds and adheres to international law, thereby contributing jointly to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and beyond.

Also on July 10, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended ASEAN+1 meetings with Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, as well as the ASEAN+3 meeting, to foster practical cooperation amid a complex and evolving regional landscape.

ASEAN and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening dialogue, jointly addressing shared challenges, and promoting inclusive, sustainable development. All parties expressed support for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and prioritised collaboration in digital transformation, green transition, energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies.

Speaking at the meetings, the Vietnamese diplomat called for deeper cooperation in digital economy connectivity, supply chain resilience, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as addressing non-traditional security issues such as cybersecurity, energy, and food security. He also urged support for ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea, contributing to a peaceful, stable, and sustainable region.

On July 11, ASEAN Foreign Ministers are scheduled to hold meetings between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, alongside holding the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), aiming to expand multilateral cooperation, promote constructive dialogue, and maintain regional stability.

Ties between Vietnamese and Australian localities highlighted in ASEAN meeting

VOV.VN - Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Andrew Barr on June 16 held a working session with the Committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Canberra, joined by heads of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Australia.