PM asks for more measures to lift trade, investment between Vietnam, Australia

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Australian Senate President Scott Ryan, Ha Noi, January 21, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

At the reception for Australian Senate President Scott Ryan on January 21 in Ha Noi, the PM expressed his belief that the Australian Senate President’s visit will open a new chapter in the two countries’ relations and contribute to consolidating Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership and the two legislative relations ties.

Vietnam attaches importance to the Strategic Partnership with Australia, asserted Mr. Phuc, welcoming the two countries to enhance high-ranking delegation exchanges.

The Vietnamese Government will enhance close coordination with the Australian counterpart to launch contents agreed in the Joint Declaration on the establishment of Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership, including the acceleration of the realization of the 2016-2019 Action Plan and other reached agreements and documents and soon proposing new goals for the next Action Plan, he added.

Mr. Phuc suggested maintaining current cooperative mechanisms and boosting the implementation of new mechanisms within the framework of Strategic Partnership, consisting of Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, Defense Ministers’ Meeting and economic partnership ministerial-level meetings.

The Vietnamese leader required enhancing labor cooperation and taking advantages of the realization of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to increase labor quota within the framework of the Vietnam/Australia Work and Holiday program.

He highly appraised Australia to give priority to providing the Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, confirming that the ODA has been used effectively.

He expressed his hope that Australia will continue its support for Vietnam in fields of infrastructure, agricultural and rural development, poverty reduction, climate change adaption and development of high-quality human resources.

Vietnam values close and effective defense cooperation with Australia, particularly in teaching English and peace-keeping training, welcoming Australia to support Vietnam in transporting all equipment and military to carry out peace-keeping activities in South Sudan, said the PM.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam expects Australia continues its strong voice to advocate the standpoints of ASEAN and Vietnam, enhancing the strict and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and the early finalization of a legally binding Code of Conduct in the waters.

For his side, Australian Senate President Scott Ryan expected that two nations will continue maintaining specific activities to strengthen bilateral relationship, especially trade ties.

Australia acknowledged efforts of Vietnam’s contributions to peace and sustainability in the region and participation in the United Nations peace-keeping activities.

He pledged to make all-out efforts to support Vietnam in the international integration process.