Determined to further strengthen Vietnam-Australia relations in the new phase.

President Luong Cuong and the Governor-General of Australia agreed that defense and security cooperation is an important pillar in bilateral cooperation; and agreed to further expand effective cooperation in this field.

President Luong Cuong and Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn held talks. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

On the afternoon of September 10th, following the solemn State welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong held talks with the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn.

On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed the Governor-General, his wife, and the Australian delegation on their State visit, especially after Vietnam had just solemnly celebrated the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd; thanked the Governor-General of Australia for his kind congratulations to the high-ranking leaders of Vietnam and to the President personally; and congratulated Australia on its solid achievements in economic development, improving social welfare, and enhancing its role and position in the region and the world.

Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn expressed his pleasure at making his first state visit to Vietnam as the 28th Governor-General; shared his impressions of Vietnam's remarkable development in a short period of time; thanked the President, his wife, and the Vietnamese government for the warm and respectful welcome extended to the delegation; and congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding achievements in recent years, particularly in maintaining high GDP growth and socio-economic development.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn affirmed that Australia has always been a reliable and sustainable partner of Vietnam, always accompanying, supporting, and assisting Vietnam in implementing reforms to achieve the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

President Luong Cuong and members of the Vietnamese delegation at a meeting with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

Both sides agree that upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024 is a historic step, demonstrating strategic trust and a strong determination to further develop bilateral relations in the new phase. Ministries and agencies of both sides are implementing the Action Program for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period 2024-2027 on schedule, particularly through the regular implementation of consultation and dialogue mechanisms.

The two countries are major trading partners, with trade turnover exceeding US$14 billion in 2024. The number of tourists between the two countries has steadily increased over the years, and there are currently 56 round-trip flights per week. Australian businesses have been and continue to be facilitated in developing investment and business activities in Vietnam. Vietnam has actively served as a bridge for Australia to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia, contributing to the promotion of the Australia-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and substantive cooperation between Australia and the Mekong Subregion.

Both sides agreed to continue maintaining the momentum of delegation exchanges, high-level and other contacts, through all channels of the Party, State, Parliament, and cooperation between localities to enhance information sharing, consolidate political trust and mutual understanding, and create a foundation for bilateral cooperation in many fields.

The President and the Governor-General of Australia affirmed that defense and security cooperation is an important pillar in bilateral cooperation; they agreed to further expand effective cooperation in this field. Australia will continue to support Vietnam in officer training, assist Vietnam in participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and particularly help transport field hospitals to the Vietnamese mission in South Sudan.

President Luong Cuong highly appreciated and acknowledged Australia's effective support through various initiatives such as the Human Resource Development Program, cooperation through the Vietnam-Australia Center located at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the implementation of training programs to enhance the capacity of leaders, promoting gender equality, building an effective public governance model, and developing human rights education in Vietnam.

The President requested Australia to continue supporting Vietnam in training high-level leaders at the central and local levels, especially in training teachers and lecturers, connecting training programs between the two countries, promoting cooperation and exchange of experience between training institutions, and strengthening cooperation between leading research institutions and universities of the two countries.

The Governor-General of Australia highly appreciated the significant contributions of the approximately 350,000 Vietnamese people in Australia and nearly 40,000 Vietnamese students studying and researching in Australia; emphasizing that deep people-to-people exchanges are a solid foundation of bilateral relations.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen measures to enhance bilateral economic cooperation, aiming for a trade turnover of US$20 billion and doubling bilateral investment in the coming years; and increasing market access for each other's key products. Vietnam hopes to welcome a stronger influx of investment from Australian businesses based on Australia's economic connectivity initiatives with Southeast Asia, including the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn speaks at a meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

Both sides also agreed to encourage research institutions and scientists from both countries to cooperate in developing joint research projects, especially in strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence, new materials, and biomedical technology.

The two leaders agreed to continue to coordinate closely at international and regional forums, particularly at the United Nations, ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as cooperation on the Mekong Subregion and APEC cooperation.

Australia continues to cooperate closely with and support the principled stance of Vietnam and ASEAN in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; resolving disputes through peaceful means based on respect for international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/quyet-tam-dua-quan-he-viet-nam-australia-phat-trien-manh-me-hon-trong-giai-doan-moi-post1061103.vnp