National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue holding talks with president of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Milton Dick in Canberra on Nov 30. — VNA/VNS
CANBERRA (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Officials from Vietnam and Australia will support the two countries in raising the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership to the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.
Vietnam's National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the president of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Milton Dick agreed to this during talks in Canberra on Wednesday (Nov 30).
The talks were held as part of NA Chairman Hue's official visit to Australia from Nov 30 to Dec 3.
The two sides stressed that the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership has developed firmly, practically and effectively in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, commerce, investment, national defence, security, education, agriculture and labour.
Two-way trade turnover exceeded US$10 billion for the first time, reaching $12.4 billion in 2021 and $13.4 billion in the first 10 months of 2022.
In order to further develop bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to promote the visits of high-ranking delegations, coordinate to organise activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and speed up the implementation of the Vietnam-Australia action programme during the 2022-2023.
They also agreed to expand cooperation in new fields such as climate change adaptation, green growth, energy transition, digital transformation and digital economy.
They agreed that the legislative bodies of the two countries will promote, encourage and create favourable conditions for exchanges of goods, particularly in opening markets for agricultural products; and increase coordination between relevant agencies to effectively implement the action plan of the Australia - Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) during the 2021-2025 period.
Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Milton Dick agreed to encourage Australian corporations and businesses to enhance investment into Vietnam in fields such as renewable energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, finance and banking, manufacturing, education, tourism, high-end agriculture and climate change adaptation.
NA Chairman Hue proposed Australia support Vietnam in fulfilling its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to increase investment in Australia in the fields of agriculture, mineral exploitation and aviation.
The two sides expressed delight at the two countries' close coordination at international forums and organisations.
They noted that cooperation between the two legislative bodies proved effective over the past years.
They agreed to continue maintaining exchanges of high-ranking delegations from the legislative bodies, enhance experience sharing and support each other at multilateral cooperation mechanisms and regional and international forums, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
On this occasion, NA Chairman Hue thanked Australia for deciding to increase ODA for Vietnam to AUD 93 million (US$62.5 million) during the 2022-2023 fiscal year as well as for actively supporting Việt Nam in Covid-19 prevention and control.
After the talks, NA Chairman Hue, President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Milton Dick signed a cooperation agreement between the two legislative bodies for the next period.
NA Chairman Hue met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier the same day.
The two sides expressed delight at the strong development of Vietnam-Australia ties in all fields and stressed that ample room remained for cooperation between the two countries in many fields. They agreed to study to expand cooperation to new fields, contributing to creating motivation for strong and comprehensive development of the bilateral ties.
Australian Prime Minister Albanese agreed with NA Chairman Hue's proposal to create conditions for Vietnamese workers to go to Australia to work in the field of agriculture while encouraging Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam.
On the basis of important achievements made in bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to support the two countries to consider raising the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership to the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.
The two sides also discussed international issues.
The same day, NA Chairman Huệ met Australian Governor-General David Hurley, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell.
