President Luong Cuong receives Australian Co-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite

President Luong Cuong received Australian Co-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

At the meeting, President Luong Cuong highly appreciated Australia's active support for host Vietnam during the opening ceremony of the Convention; thanked the Australian Government for promptly providing Vietnam with 3 million AUD to overcome the consequences of storms No. 10 and 11. The President affirmed that Australia is one of Vietnam's important Comprehensive Strategic Partners in the Asia- Pacific region and Australia's support demonstrates the solidarity, friendship and special relationship between the two countries.

Co-Minister Matt Thistlethwaite highly appreciated and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting and organizing the important United Nations Convention on Cybercrime Prevention; at the same time, congratulated the achievements and emphasized that Vietnam is becoming a bright spot in economic , social, infrastructure and educational development.

On this occasion, the Co-Minister once again sent his regards to the Vietnamese people in the areas affected by recent storms and floods and shared that the Australian Government and people are always ready to accompany and support the Vietnamese people.

President Luong Cuong and Co-Minister Matt Thistlethwaite expressed their satisfaction at witnessing the development of bilateral relations with encouraging results in implementing the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2024-2027 period, as most of the proposed activities have been completed or are being implemented on schedule.

The two sides are actively coordinating to implement the results of the Australian Governor-General's State visit to Vietnam last September and agreed that, in the context of complicated changes in the regional and international situation, Vietnam and Australia further strengthening their cooperative relationship and mutual trust will not only bring common benefits to the people of the two countries but also effectively contribute to consolidating peace and stability in the region and the world.

Australian Joint Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite speaks at the reception.

President Luong Cuong suggested the two countries further promote economic connectivity, soon realize the target of two-way trade turnover of 20 billion USD and double two-way investment in the next 2-3 years; and welcomed Australia's investment in Vietnam in the first six months of 2025, which exceeded the 3 billion USD mark.

The President also suggested that the two countries effectively implement cooperation on climate change, environment, and energy, support each other in implementing the commitment to reduce net zero emissions and clean energy transition; strengthen cooperation in science and technology, promote joint training programs on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam.

The President stressed that people-to-people exchange is a strong link between the two countries, suggesting that the two countries expand friendly exchange activities, increase direct flights connecting major cities and promote cultural values so that the Vietnamese and Australian people can increase mutual understanding.

Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite emphasized that Australia always considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wishes to continue to further develop the bilateral relationship in all areas of cooperation.

The Co-Minister affirmed that the Australian Government always welcomes and welcomes Vietnamese students and researchers to study in Australia, expressing his delight that Vietnam currently has the fourth largest number of students in Australia; at the same time, he is ready to expand cooperation in training to improve capacity and share knowledge in areas of Australia's strengths such as environment, energy conversion, mining, etc.

Sharing the opinions of President Luong Cuong, the Co-Ministers agreed that it is necessary to further promote people-to-people exchanges through language, cultural, tourism and trade exchange programs; affirmed that Australia wishes to closely connect with the Southeast Asian region and continue to strongly implement the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, in which Vietnam is one of the key partners.

Xuan Ky

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-tiep-dong-bo-truong-ve-ngoai-giao-va-thuong-mai-australia-matt-thistlethwaite-post917987.html