Australian Governor-General successfully concludes State visit to Vietnam

The State visit to Vietnam by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and his wife contributed to strengthening ties between the two countries at all levels and consolidating strategic trust between the two nations.

Toan quyen Australia ket thuc tot dep chuyen tham cap Nha nuoc toi VN hinh anh 1 President Vo Van Thuong and Australian Governor-General David Hurley listen to military bands playing the national anthems of the two countries. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

On the morning of April 6, Australian Governor-General David Hurley and his wife, along with a high-ranking Australian delegation, left Ho Chi Minh City, successfully concluding a State visit to Vietnam from April 3-6, 2023.

This is the first State visit by a foreign Head of State to Vietnam in 2023 and the first state guest that President Vo Van Thuong welcomed in his new position.

The visit also has many symbolic meanings, commemorating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973-2023).

During his visit to Vietnam, Governor-General of Australia David Hurley had many important activities such as laying wreaths at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs; laying wreaths and visiting President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum; attending the official welcoming ceremony and holding talks with President Vo Van Thuong; paying a courtesy call to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; visiting the Vietnam Peacekeeping Force; and attending an official reception.

On this occasion, the Australian Governor-General received Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and visited a number of educational establishments in Ho Chi Minh City.

At the talks and meetings between senior leaders of Vietnam and the Governor-General of Australia, both sides expressed satisfaction with the substantive and effective development of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.

In particular, many areas of cooperation mentioned in the Action Program for the 2020-2023 period have become pillars and bright spots in the bilateral relationship such as security-defense, economy-trade, science-technology, education-training, people-to-people exchange, etc.

The leaders shared about cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies in perfecting legal institutions to enhance cooperation on regional and global issues such as promoting the digital transformation ecosystem, equitable energy transition and climate change response.

Believing that the two countries still have much room and potential for cooperation, the leaders had in-depth discussions on major orientations to strengthen Vietnam-Australia relations in all fields; at the same time, they agreed to discuss upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.

Toan quyen Australia ket thuc tot dep chuyen tham cap Nha nuoc toi VN hinh anh 2 General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Australian Governor-General David Hurley during his state visit to Vietnam. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Receiving the Governor-General of Australia for a courtesy call, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the Australian Governor-General David Hurley, his wife and the high-ranking Australian delegation to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023), considering this an important event to further promote the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the coming time.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highly appreciated the positive and multifaceted development in the fields of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Australia , especially trade and people-to-people exchange.

After listening to Australian Governor-General David Hurley discuss the results of the talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders and the delegation's activities, the General Secretary agreed with the direction for developing bilateral relations in the coming time, and emphasized that the results achieved in implementing the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership are the foundation for the two countries to move towards new milestones, including upgrading to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The General Secretary said that the two countries share many similarities, both located in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, especially in Australia where there is a Vietnamese community of over 300,000 people living, working and studying. He suggested that the Governor-General and the Australian Government continue to pay attention and create conditions for the Vietnamese community to promote its role as a bridge for the relationship between the two countries.

The leaders agreed that based on the success of this visit and meaningful activities in the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the establishment of a new cooperation framework between the two countries will actively contribute to maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Visiting the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, President Vo Van Thuong and Governor-General of Australia David Hurley highly appreciated the results of participation in activities and the dedication of the Vietnamese Blue Berets; said that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of United Nations peacekeeping is very meaningful, not only contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation but also contributing to world peace; hoped that the cooperation between the two countries would continue to achieve more results in various fields, including United Nations peacekeeping, contributing to bringing the relationship between the two countries to a new height.

During the visit, President Vo Van Thuong's wife, Mrs. Phan Thi Thanh Tam, and the Governor-General of Australia's wife, Mrs. Linda Hurley, visited the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

The State visit to Vietnam by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and his wife contributed to strengthening ties between the two countries at all levels, consolidating strategic trust between the two nations, and was a highlight in the important Anniversary Year of the two countries./.

Thu Phuong (VietnamPlus)

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