President Luong Cuong receives the Australian Co-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Photo caption — President Luong Cuong receives Mr. Matt Thistlethwaite, Co-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA.

During the meeting, President Luong Cuong highly appreciated Australia's active support for host country Vietnam in organizing the Convention signing ceremony; and thanked the Australian Government for promptly providing Vietnam with 3 million AUD to overcome the consequences of typhoons No. 10 and 11.

The President affirmed that Australia is one of Vietnam's important Comprehensive Strategic Partners in the Asia- Pacific region, and that Australia's support demonstrates the solidarity, friendship, and special close relationship between the two countries.

Co-Secretary Matt Thistlethwaite highly appreciated Vietnam's organizational efforts and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting and organizing the important United Nations Convention on Cybercrime. He also congratulated Vietnam on its achievements and emphasized that Vietnam is becoming a shining example of economic, social, infrastructure, and educational development.

On this occasion, the Co-Minister once again extended his condolences to the people of Vietnam in the areas affected by the recent storms and floods. He shared that the Government and people of Australia are always ready to stand alongside and support the people of Vietnam.

President Luong Cuong and Co-Minister Matt Thistlethwaite expressed satisfaction at witnessing the very positive development of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with comprehensive and effective cooperation between the two countries, yielding very encouraging results in the implementation of the Action Program for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2024-2027. Most of the proposed activities have been completed or are being implemented on schedule, including the State visit to Vietnam by the Governor-General of Australia in September 2025, and both sides are currently actively coordinating to concretize the results of the visit.

Both sides agreed that, in the context of complex regional and international changes, further strengthening cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and Australia will not only bring common benefits to the people of both countries but also effectively contribute to consolidating peace and stability in the region and the world.

President Luong Cuong proposed that the two countries further strengthen economic connectivity, soon realize the target of 20 billion USD in bilateral trade and double bilateral investment in the next 2-3 years; he welcomed the fact that Australian investment in Vietnam in the first six months of 2025 had exceeded 3 billion USD.

In addition, the President also expressed his desire for the two countries to effectively implement cooperation on climate change, environment, and energy, supporting each other in fulfilling commitments to achieve net-zero emissions and transition to clean energy; strengthening cooperation in science and technology, and promoting joint training programs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam.

The President emphasized that people-to-people exchanges are a strong link connecting the two countries, and suggested that the two countries expand friendly exchange activities, strengthen direct flights connecting major cities, and promote cultural values to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and Australia.

Emphasizing that Australia has always considered Vietnam an important partner in the region and wishes to further develop bilateral relations in all areas of cooperation, Mr. Matt Thistlethwaite affirmed that the Australian Government always welcomes Vietnamese students and researchers to study in Australia, expressing pleasure that Vietnam currently has the fourth largest number of students in Australia; and is ready to expand cooperation in capacity building and knowledge sharing in areas where Australia has strengths such as environment, energy transition, and mining.

Sharing the views of President Luong Cuong, the Australian co-minister agreed that it is necessary to further promote people-to-people exchanges through programs on language, culture, tourism, and trade.

Co-Minister Matt Thistlethwaite also affirmed Australia's desire to connect closely with Southeast Asia and continue to vigorously implement the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, in which Vietnam is one of the key partners.

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