Vietnam, Australia hold deputy ministerial-level strategic dialogue

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy, while the Australian side was headed by Deputy Secretary Defence People Rebecca Skinner and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gary Quinlan.

At the dialogue, the two sides noted with satisfaction the vigorous growth of their bilateral relations over the past time and reiterated the significant role and position of each country in the other’s foreign policies.

The Australian officials welcomed the visit to Australia by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh from November 29 to December 1, 2016, during which both sides pledged to signing a joint action programme for the 2016-2019 period.

Both sides consented to step up cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment, security, defence, education, training, development support, science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, particularly increasing collaboration between the ministries of foreign affairs and defence.

Australia pledged to support and assist Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017.

The deputy ministers compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and welcomed joint efforts to enhance cooperation, dialogues and mutual trust for peace, stability and development in the Asian-Pacific region.

They concurred to reinforce coordination at regional organisations and forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), and the ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Australia promised to continue supporting ASEAN’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community and its vision through 2025, as well as strengthening the intra-bloc’s solidarity, narrowing development gap, and enhancing the group’s central role in the regional shaping architecture.

They expressed their concerns over the emerging traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and stressed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.

Both sides underscored the need to strictly abide by international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), settle any disputes via peaceful means, and respect the diplomatic and legal process without using or threating to use force.

Vietnam and Australia consented to share information and bolster cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism, coping with climate change, and ensuring the security and sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water sources.

They agreed to hold the fifth deputy ministerial-level foreign affairs and defence strategic dialogue in Australia in 2017.