The Party chief called the Australian Governor-General’s State visit, which takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1973-2023), an important event to further boost the strategic partnership between the two countries in the time ahead.

He also highly valued positive, multi-faceted developments in cooperation between Vietnam and Australia over the past time, especially in trade and people-to-people exchange.

He said results of the implementation of the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership creates a foundation for the two sides to look towards higher milestones, including the upgrade of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. 

The leader suggested the Governor-General create more favourable conditions for the over 300,000-strong Vietnamese community in Australia to promote their role as a friendship bridge between the two countries.

Vietnam has pursued a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace and cooperation, he emphasised, suggesting the two sides enhance their political ties and high-level delegation exchanges, effectively implement the signed agreements, promote people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen coordination in international issues.

Trong noted his hope that agencies of the two countries will put forth specific programmes and plans to continue deepening the cooperation substantively and effectively.

For his part, Hurley said that during talks and meetings between him and Vietnamese leaders, the two sides have discussed  orientations and specific measures to promote bilateral relations and cooperation in agriculture, industry and mining, and agreed to expand the partnership in green economy, digital economy and climate change response. 

Such orientations and measures match Australia’s wish and capacity, with the aim of diversifying its international economic relations, he emphasised.

Hurley expressed his good impressions of the land, people and traditions of Vietnam, and highly valued the country’s achievements.

Stressing the firm foundation of the bilateral ties, the Australian leader said he hopes that the two countries will continue with their coordination in building a region of peace, stability, prosperity and self-resilience, with respect for international law and sovereignty of countries, while looking towards building a new framework for the relations.

He also praised contributions and position of the Vietnamese community in Australia to development and prosperity of the host country, as well as to the Australia-Vietnam ties.

Both host and guest shared the view that on the basis of the success of the visit and activities marking the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, the building of a new cooperation framework will contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Leaders applaud practical development of Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Governor-General of Australia David Hurley expressed their delight at the practical and effective development of the strategic partnership between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on April 4.

The talks followed an official welcome ceremony hosted by President Thuong and his spouse for the Australian leader and his spouse, who are paying a State visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming his guest, President Thuong underlined the importance of the visit, which marks the start of the year celebrating the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations, and that it will help create a new impetus for the strategic partnership.

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

Perceiving that there remains much room and potential for cooperation, they discussed major orientations for augmenting the two countries’ ties in various spheres and agreed to consider the upgrade of the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at a suitable point of time.

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; coordinate to organise meaningful activities in both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations to boost public awareness of the bilateral friendship and cooperation; 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, issuing policies to encourage businesses to increase investment in each other’s countries, and encouraging Australian firms to invest in such fields as energy, infrastructure, mining, telecoms, finance - banking, hi-tech agriculture, and education in Vietnam.

He described the cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations as a highlight in the countries’ relations and called on Australia to continue working closely with Vietnam in fighting transnational crimes, managing exit and entry, preventing illegal migration, and controlling and handling 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 recommended the two sides soon finalise procedures for implementing the memorandum of understanding on the Australian Agriculture Visa Programme so that Vietnamese citizens can work in agriculture in Australia, create conditions for Vietnamese students to study in his country, encourage 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 asked Vietnam to continue giving favourabe conditions for Australian citizens to travel, study, invest, and do business in the Southeast Asian country.

Talking about regional and international issues, President Thuong applauded Australia’s high priority given to relations with Southeast Asia and Vietnam, and the enhancement of ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two leaders agreed that the two countries will keep increasing consultation and closely coordinating at regional and international forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN, and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

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

Earlier on April 4, Governor-General Hurley and the high-ranking delegation of Australia paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late Vietnamese leader’s mausoleum. They also laid wreaths at the monument to heroes and martyrs in Hanoi.

Vietnam and Australia set up their diplomatic ties in 1973, comprehensive partnership in 2009, enhanced comprehensive partnership in 2015, and later strategic partnership in 2018.

NA Chairman meets with Australian Governor-General

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with Australian Governor-General David Hurley in Hanoi on April 4, during which the host affirmed that increasing political trust is an important basis for promoting the comprehensive development of the two countries' relations across such fields as politics, diplomacy, defence-security, investment, culture, tourism, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Hue expressed his hope that the Governor-General will continue paying attention to and promoting the countries’ defence and security cooperation; and supporting Vietnam in joining the UN peacekeeping force.

Vietnam wishes the two sides to promote sustainable and balanced trade, with Australia facilitating the import of Vietnamese farm produce and vice versa, he noted.

The top legislator also proposed Hurley promote bilateral collaboration in the field of agricultural technology and working-holiday labour, and encourage joint works between localities of the two nations.

He appreciated Australia's interest in the Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanism, and Australia for supporting Vietnam's candidacy for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023 – 2025 tenure, and sharing many similar views with the Southeast Asian country at regional and international forums

He took the occasion to send his invitation to President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Milton Dick to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

For his part, Hurley emphasised the importance of people-to-people exchange and noted that the two sides have built a very solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations, especially via the strategy to strengthen their economic cooperation.

He said Australia supports ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue, the bloc’s centrality, and its approach to solving regional matters.

He agreed that parties involved should make efforts to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; respect national sovereignty and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and seriously implement the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and develop an effective and legally-binding Code of Conduct in the waters (COC) in accordance with international law.

Regarding Hue's information on a number of new areas of cooperation between the Vietnamese and Australian legislative bodies to perfect the legal institutions such as those serving digital transformation, equitable energy transition, and climate change response, the Governor-General said these are important areas bringing benefits to both sides.

It is necessary to pay attention to them and learn from past experiences, taking these as a solid fulcrum to fortify the bilateral cooperative relationship, he stressed.

A delegation of the Australian Senate committee for regional cooperation development will visit Vietnam in the near future, said Hurley, adding that the sides will jointly find ways to promote relations and provide orientations to boost collaboration further.

Prime Minister meets with Australian Governor-General

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the first State visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General David Hurley, which is also the first trip by a senior leader of Australia after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at their meeting in Hanoi on April 4.

Highlighting the significance of the visit at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties, PM Chinh congratulated Australia on its impressive achievements in economic recovery and development in the post-COVID-19 period, positively improving social security for people and carrying out important international commitments, including in response to climate change.

Governor-General Hurley spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in the fight against COVID-19, economic recovery and development with a GDP growth rate of over 8% last year, the highest level in the past 10 years.

PM Chinh said the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership is growing strongly, with two-way trade rising by nearly 27% to roughly 15.7 billion USD last year, making Australia the 7th largest trade partner of Vietnam and Vietnam the 10th biggest trade partner of Australia.

He suggested Australia create more favourable conditions for Vietnam’s agro-aquatic products to enter the country to achieve more balanced trade between the two nations.

Vietnam welcomes Australian firms and major investment funds to invest in Vietnam in areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, finance-banking, education, hi-tech agriculture, digital transformation, mining, aviation, tourism, among others, he said, proposing Australia offer support to Vietnamese enterprises operating in mining, agriculture, aviation and tourism.

Regarding national defence-security cooperation, PM Chinh proposed Australia continue assisting Vietnam in training, improving the capacity and English skills, and in the fight against transnational, terrorism, economic, drug and cyber crimes.

Governor-General Hurley, for his part, spoke highly of the PM’s proposals, adding that the two economies are highly supplementary to each other. Australia is in the process of expanding and diversifying its trade partners, with a priority given to countries in the region, he said.

Both sides need to propel cooperation in other areas such as education, tourism, agriculture, people-to-people exchange, he recommended.

As direct flights between the two nations have been resumed with 17 flights per week, they agreed to share experience in tourism development, particularly community, green, study and health tourism.

The Governor-General hailed the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Centre at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, as well as Vietnam's creating favourable conditions for RMIT University to expand its operations in Vietnam.

About new cooperation areas such as climate change response and energy transition, he affirmed that Australia will help Vietnam achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050 and partner with Vietnam and Laos to organise the ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition.

On regional and global issues, both host and guest highly evaluated the two countries' coordination and mutual support at regional and global forums, especially at the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and ASEAN.

They were delighted at the development of the Australia-ASEAN relationship, including the upgrade of the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2021 and the plan to hold a special summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations in 2024.

Australia supports ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue, Governor-General Hurley affirmed, agreeing that all parties need to make greater efforts to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), seriously abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and build an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

On this occasion, PM Chinh asked the Governor-General to convey his invitation to the Australian PM to visit Vietnam at a convenient time this year.

Banquet held for Australian Governor-General David Hurley

President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse hosted a banquet  in Hanoi on April 4 evening for Australian Governor-General David Hurley and his spouse, who are on a State visit to Vietnam.  

In his remarks, both leaders affirmed that with cooperation achievements over the past 50 years, especially successes of the Governor-General’s visit, the bilateral relations will grow to a new height.

Thuong reviewed milestones in the Vietnam-Australia relationship, saying it has never been as strong and fruitful as it is now.

He appreciated Australia’s official development assistance to Vietnam, which, he said, has significantly contributed to the national socio-economic development and improving Vietnamese’s living standards.

The President took the example of Cao Lanh and My Thuan bridges, and called them symbols of the Vietnam-Australia friendship.

The two sides have also established many cooperation agreements between their localities, he said, adding that more than 80,000 Vietnamese students have received training in Australia, and hundreds of thousands of Australians visit Vietnam each year. The figures speak out about exchanges between people of the two countries.

Vietnam, as an active and responsible member  of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the international community, has worked together with Australia in many regional and international issues, and to consolidate mutual trust and common perceptions on values of peace, stability, cooperation and respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and rule of law, he continued.

Speaking at the event, Hurley affirmed that Australia is proud to have a close, reliable friend and partner like Vietnam, and the two countries are joining hands in concretising their joint vision in Indo-Pacific  - a region of stability and prosperity, where sovereignty and international law are respected.

He rejoiced at the tight, effective bilateral cooperation in many fields such as economy, politics, security, climate change response, education and national defence. He also highlighted new air routes between the two countries, including one expected to be launched by Vietnam’s Vietjet this month.

Hurley expressed his delight at bilateral cultural links, with more than 300,000 Vietnamese living and working in Australia, and the Vietnamese language being the 4th most commonly spoken in the country.

Australia wishes to cooperate with Vietnam in realising the Southeast Asian nation’s development goals, he noted.

Australian Governor-General hails Vietnamese peacekeepers' contributions

Australian Governor-General David Hurley praised the Vietnamese blue beret force’s contributions and stressed the meaning of the Vietnam-Australia cooperation in the UN's peacekeeping mission when he and President Vo Van Thuong visited the headquarters of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations in Hanoi on April 4.

Hurley, in Hanoi for a State visit, affirmed that Australia wishes to continue to work closely with and support Vietnam in this field.

President Thuong shared the Australian Governor-General's view on the significance of the two countries’ cooperation in UN peacekeeping activities, which contributes not only to strengthening their bilateral cooperation but also to world peace.

He thanked the Australian Government and wished to receive more assistance from the country for Vietnam’s peacekeeping activities in the time to come.

Talking to officers who earlier served in Level-2 Field Hospital in South Sudan, Hurley said the dispatch of forces to such a difficult location reflects Vietnam's efforts in participating in the mission.

Australia was one of the first countries to sign with Vietnam a memorandum of understanding on peacekeeping cooperation in 2015. This laid a basis for practical and effective joint work between the two in the field, including English language training, as well as material and equipment support.

Australian Governor-General’s spouse visits national music academy

Phan Thi Thanh Tam, spouse of President Vo Van Thuong, and Linda Hurley, spouse of Australian Governor-General David Hurley, visited the Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi on April 4.

After attending classes and performances at the academy, Linda Hurley thanked Vietnam, Tam and the institution’s staff and students for their warm welcome, and expressed her strong belief in the strength of music, saying it brings about happiness to everyone and connect people together.

She noted her hope that the Vietnam-Australia cooperative relations will be tightened in the future.

Linda Hurley and her husband - Governor-General David Hurley, arrived in Hanoi on April 3 for a State visit at the invitation of President Thuong.

This is the first foreign leader paying a State visit to Vietnam in 2023, and also the first national guest that President Thuong has received in his new position. The visit is part of activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations.

The visit, which is a prominent milestone in the year celebrating the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties, is expected to contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the strategic trust between the two countries.

Source: VNA