Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 9 hosted a reception for visiting Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne.

The two sides agreed to maintain and promote the exchange of delegations and all-level meetings, implement existing cooperation mechanisms in a flexible manner and effectively carry out the Vietnam-Australia action plan for 2020-2023, and the Vietnam - Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) so as to soon double the two-way trade, towards becoming one of the 10 trading partners of each other.

PM Chinh used the occasion to thank the Australian Government for its commitment of 5.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies to Vietnam, noting his hope that Australia will continue to support Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, and socio-economic development.

He spoke highly of the thriving relations between Vietnam and Australia, especially the two-way trade that hit 9.1 billion USD in the first nine months of this year, up more than 50 percent year-on-year despite the pandemic.

The leader appreciated Australia's continuing to provide official development assistance (ODA) at the high level for Vietnam, reaching 78.9 million AUD in the 2021-2022 financial year.

Highlighting the outcomes of the third Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Chinh said it demonstrates the two countries’ resolve to boost the strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese Government leader suggested Australia consider opening its market for a number of Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products, and implementing an agriculture visa scheme for Vietnamese labourers.

The PM also appealed to Australia to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, extend visa for Vietnamese citizens stranded in the country due to COVID-19, and resume the reception and scholarships for Vietnamese students.

Vietnam and Australia should further support each other and support the ASEAN-Australia relations in issues regarding peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, including Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue.

For her part, Minister Payne affirmed that Australia considers Vietnam a priority in various matters, including infrastructure development, agriculture, poverty reduction and climate change.

She supported PM Chinh’s proposals, saying Australia highly values Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue and completely backs the peaceful settlement of international disputes based on principles of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

The minister expressed her belief that Vietnam will gradually complete the target of adapting to and living safely with COVID-19.

She announced that Australia will provide another 2.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Vietnam, raising its total donations to more than 7.8 million doses to the Southeast Asian nation./.

Vietnam – Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne co-chaired the annual third Vietnam – Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi on November 9.

Both sides shared the view that the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, which was adopted by the two PMs on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-26), plays an important role in realising the goal of turning both nations into one of the top 10 trade partners of each other and doubling two-way trade.

Australia will enhance investment and assist Vietnam in innovation, green and sustainable growth, and hi-tech agriculture while maintaining official development assistance for the Southeast Asian nation.

On labour collaboration, Australia will consider applying “agriculture passport” for Vietnamese workers.

They also pledged to reinforce defence ties and activities in the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

About education-training, Payne affirmed that Australia will offer more scholarships to Vietnamese students, and consider allowing fully vaccinated Vietnamese students to return to Australia for study.

As regards to joint work against COVID-19 pandemic, she said the Australian Government committed 5.2 million vaccine doses to Vietnam and additional 2.6 million on the occasion, bringing the total to 7.8 million. She added that Australia will deliver 700,000 doses to Vietnam in coming weeks.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, Payne affirmed that Vietnam will continue stepping up collaboration for the sustainable development ot the Greater Mekong Sub-region, especially in climate change response.

She expressed support for Vietnam’s organisation of the ASEAN Forum on Sub-regional Cooperation for sustainable development and inclusive growth later this month.

Sharing viewpoints and stances on the East Sea issue, the two ministers stated that disputes need to be addressed peacefully on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On the occasion, they witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries, and a ceremony to present awards to four Vietnamese firms in a green growth business partnership programme launched by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade./. 

Vietnam, Australia to bolster cooperation in security

Minister of Public Security General To Lam suggested Vietnam and Australia enhance cooperation in all spheres, including national defence and security, at a reception for Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne in Hanoi on November 9.

Lam said over the past years, with the support of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and law enforcement agencies of Australia has been strengthened in crime combat, immigration management and legal assistance, among others.

According to the minister, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Australian Department of Home Affairs have been effectively implementing signed cooperation documents and the minutes of the second Vietnam-Australia Vice-Ministerial Security Dialogue that took place in Hanoi in December 2019.

He added that the third dialogue is set to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control.

Minister Lam suggested the two sides should work to effectively roll out the 2018 agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, the 2013 treaty on extradition, and the memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Australian Federal Police regarding the fight against cross-border crimes and cooperation between public security forces of the two countries.

For her part, Payne expressed her belief that cooperation between the two countries in general, and law enforcement agencies of Australia and Vietnam in particular will produce further achievements in ensuring social order and safety, and combating crimes.

She pledged to do her best to promote cooperation between Australian partners and the Vietnamese ministry, regarding this as an important factor to raise trust and boost collaboration between the two countries./.

Source: VNA