Vietnam, Northern Territory of Australia improve co-operation efficiency
VOV.VN- Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh paid an official visit to the Northern Territory of Australia as part of efforts to enhance connectivity and improve co-operation efficiency with Vietnamese localities in the post-COVID-19 period.
The visit is taking place from May 30 to June 2 at the invitation of Natasha Fyles, chief minister of the Northern Territory.
During the visit, Ambassador Thanh paid a courtesy visit to Governor Vicki O'Halloran, Fyles, and participated in a host of meetings alongside business representatives involved in agriculture, mining, energy, education, and tourism.
During the course of the meeting with Ambassador Thanh, Governor O'Hallorand voiced support for a wide range of practical activities which will be launched as soon as possible in a bid to accelerate co-operation agreements between the Australian state and Vietnamese localities.
Both sides agreed to jointly organise a host of events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both nations and look forward to welcoming Vietnamese delegations to promote comprehensive co-operation with the Northern Territory, including boosting ties on the issue of ethnic minorities.
Governor O'Hallorand highly appreciated the investment made Vietnamese businesses in the Northern Territory, as well as the important contributions of the Vietnamese community of roughly 2,500 people, to the Australia economy, thereby creating a special feature in the local multi-ethnic community.
Upon receiving the first foreign ambassador after taking on the role of chief minister, Fyles expressed delight at the favourable developments in mutual ties despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, there are high hopes moving forward that Australia's new federal government will continue to work to propel comprehensive relations between the two nations forward in the time ahead.
Emphasising Vietnam's role in the Northern Territory’s International Cooperation Strategy for the 2022 to 2026 period, Fyles said she backs connecting and improving the efficiency of co-operation activities. In addition, an agreement was reached to send a delegation to visit Vietnam soon ahead of the signing of a co-operation agreement with Kien Giang province.
Regarding the difficulties faced by Vietnamese businesses investing in the Northern Territory, such as Hoa Phat Group and TH Group, Fyles affirmed that the ministries and branches of the Northern Territory will work to improve the situation, especially problems related to water sources, transport infrastructure, labour, and changes land use.
Ambassador Thanh showed his elation at the various achievements in socio-economic development and the Northern Territory’s COVID-19 containment efforts. He said that he has been greatly impressed with the potential of the gateway territory to Asia, especially in the fields of mining, energy, tourism, and agriculture.
Furthermore, there remains plenty of room for the Northern Territory to expand diversified co-operation with Vietnamese localities due to geographical proximity, climate similarity, and dual interests.
The Vietnamese diplomat therefore suggested that the Northern Territory quickly intensify practical action programmes every year or every five years in a bid to restore and improve the effectiveness of existing co-operation agreements with Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and Hai Phong city.
As part of the occasion, Ambassador Thanh visited Charles Darwin University, met with Vietnamese students there, and visited a number of local research, cultivation, and breeding facilities, as well as members of the Vietnamese community living in the Northern Territory of Australia.