Vietnam, Australia upbeat about flourishing strategic partnership

The talks came following an official welcome ceremony hosted by President Thuong for the Australian Governor-General, who is currently on a State visit to the nation.

Welcoming the Australian senior leader, President Thuong emphasised the importance of the visit, which marks the start of the year celebrating the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, noting that it will help to add fresh impetus to the strategic partnership.

Both host and guest shared the view that many co-operation areas identified in the action plan for 2020 to 2023 have become pillars or bright spots in terms of bilateral ties, including security - defence, economy - trade, science - technology, education - training, and people-to-people exchanges.

Perceiving that there remains plenty of room and potential to boost co-operation, they discussed major orientations for augmenting the two countries’ relations across various spheres and agreed to consider the upgrade of linkages to a comprehensive strategic partnership at a suitable point in the future.

They said the two sides should maintain trust; enhance friendship, mutual understanding, and respect via delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels; step up friendship exchanges between social circles of the two countries, especially friendship associations, parliamentary friendship groups, and associations of the youth, students, and women; co-ordinate to organise meaningful activities in both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties to boost public awareness of the bilateral friendship and co-operation; and foster the effective implementation of the signed agreements.

President Thuong asked both sides, on the basis of the Vietnam - Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), to bolster bilateral trade and investment via effective measures, including considering the facilitation of each other’s strong exports. This is along with issuing policies to encourage firms to intensify investment in each other’s markets, and encouraging Australian enterprises to invest in fields such as energy, infrastructure, mining, telecoms, finance - banking, hi-tech agriculture, and education in Vietnam.

He described co-operation in UN peacekeeping operations as a highlight in the countries’ relations and called on the Australian to continue working closely with the nation in fighting transnational crimes, managing exit and entry procedures, preventing illegal migration, and controlling and handling of terrorist individuals and organisations that may use its territory to conduct sabotage activities against Vietnam.

Governor-General Hurley agreed on the need to pay more attention to cultural, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.

He therefore recommended that the two sides finalise procedures for implementing the memorandum of understanding on the Australian Agriculture Visa Programme so that Vietnamese citizens can work in agriculture in Australia. Other moves include creating conditions for Vietnamese students to study in his country, encouraging more Australians to go travel and study in Vietnam under the Working Holiday Maker Programme and the New Colombo Plan, boost post-pandemic tourism promotion activities, and strengthen locality-to-locality links.

The visiting leader also highly valued the establishment of the Vietnam - Australia Centre at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, affirming the continuation of conditions for the Vietnamese community in his country to live, study, work, and set up associations in accordance with local law.

He also requested that the Vietnamese side continue offering favourable conditions for Australian citizens to travel, study, invest, and conduct business in the Southeast Asian country.

Concerning regional and international issues, President Thuong applauded Australia’s high priority given to relations with Southeast Asia and Vietnam, as well as the promotion of ties with ASEAN.

The two leaders agreed that both nations continue to increase consultation and close co-ordination at regional and international forums, particularly the UN, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

They reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, as well as co-operation with other countries to build a region of stability and prosperity, as well as the respect for national sovereignty and law.

Earlier the same day, Governor-General Hurley and the high-ranking delegation of Australia paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late Vietnamese leader’s mausoleum. At the site they also laid wreaths at the monument to heroes and martyrs in Hanoi.

Vietnam and Australia  set up diplomatic ties back in 1973, with this developing into a comprehensive partnership in 2009, before strengthening to a comprehensive partnership in 2015 and later strategic partnership in 2018.