Fruitful Vietnam-Australia defence links praised
VOV.VN - Deputy Secretary of Strategy, Policy, and Industry at the Australian Department of Defence Hugh Jeffrey on October 29 hailed the strides recorded in defence co-operation between his nation and Vietnam since they upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March.
At a reception held for Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Hung Tam, Deputy Secretary Jeffrey said that the Vietnamese side sending a naval ship to the Kakadu Exercise 2024 in Darwin for the first time demonstrates the growing strategic co-operation and trust that exists between the two countries' defence forces.
The official therefore hailed the Vietnamese role and position, identifying it as a priority partner of Australia in the region. He pledged to continue support and collaboration with the country in areas such as training, joint exercises, and especially UN peacekeeping operations.
He also pledged to boost ties at multilateral forums, particularly within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM).
Australia will dispatch a delegation to attend the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024, the second of its kind, scheduled to take place in December in Hanoi, the official affirmed.
In response, Ambassador Tam commended Australian defence forces for their role in transporting relief supplies to Vietnam to help mitigate the impacts of typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms to strike the Southeast Asian nation in decades.
The diplomat showed his confidence that bilateral linkages in the six priority areas, including security and defence, will grow further to match the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He suggested that both sides work to maintain close co-ordination to effectively implement the outcomes of the seventh Vietnam-Australia Defence Policy Dialogue in March and the ninth Vietnam-Australia Diplomacy-Defence Dialogue in August.
The two sides also discussed measures aimed at enhancing defence ties in the time ahead, whilst also comparing notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
