Minister of Public Security To Lam (R) and Australian Minister of Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton

Lam said his visit marks an important milestone to beef up ties between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and Australian law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Immigration and Border Protection. 

Dutton, for his part, expressed his delight at the development of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership over the past time and the recent signing of the Australia-Vietnam Action Programme for 2016-2019 during Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh’s visit on November 30. 

At the talks, the two sides pledged to continue effectively realising signed agreements, improving the efficiency of existing cooperation channels, facilitating the exchange of all-level visits, combating human trafficking rings and illegal immigration. 

They will also reinforce training of cadres working in immigration management and offer mutual support at multilateral forums, international seminars and conferences. 

They agreed to give advices to the two governments to extend bilateral ties across natural energy exploitation, animal breeding, cultivation of industrial plants and mining. 

Concluding the talks, they signed a memorandum of understanding on welcoming back illegal Vietnamese immigrants. 

Meeting Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police Andrew Colvin the same day, Lam informed the host of the MoU signing and achievements in fighting trans-national crimes between the two sides. 

In order to enhance bilateral ties, host and guest agreed that priority should be given to the recently-signed 2016-2019 action programme and a number of valid agreements on extradition or transfer of sentenced persons.

VNA