Australia continues to see Vietnam as one of its key partners in Asia-Pacific, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 30.
At the talks, Minh, who is on an official visit to Australia from November 29 to December 1, said his country wants to enhance intensive and effective cooperation with Australia in all fields for the sake of the two peoples.
Both sides expressed their delight at the flourishing relations between their countries and between the two foreign ministries, especially since Vietnam and Australia set up the comprehensive partnership in 2009 and signed a declaration on enhancing the comprehensive partnership in 2015.
The countries have regularly organised high-level visits and meetings and brought into full play bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the high-level consultation on development assistance, the joint committee on scientific and technological cooperation, the foreign affairs-defence strategic dialogue, and the agricultural forum.
Australia is currently the eighth largest trade partner of Vietnam and also accommodates the biggest number of Vietnamese students. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian nation has received a large number of Australian students and apprentices under the New Colombo Plan.
Australia’s development assistance for Vietnam has been used effectively, thus practically contributing to local socio-economic development, the two FMs noted.
With regard to measures to solidify bilateral relations, Australia pledged to facilitate Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products’ entrance to its market. It affirmed that Vietnam is an important economic partner in the region, and it will continue prioritising ODA provision for Vietnam in the fields listed in the Vietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019.
The two sides will coordinate to optimise opportunities and interests generated by the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the ASEAN Economic Community. They will also promote the ratification and implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and the finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
At the talks, the foreign ministers also discussed the regional and international situation and agreed on closer coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.
Julie Bishop said Australia supports Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Summit in 2017, along with ASEAN’s solidarity, unity and central role in the regional architecture.
She reiterated her country’s consistent viewpoint on the East Sea issue, highlighting the need for ensured peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and unimpeded trade. Australia advocates the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, respect to diplomatic and legal processes, adherence to international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and avoidance of force or threat to use force.
After the talks, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh and Minister Bishop signed the Vietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019, which details the targets and measures in spheres of bilateral and multilateral cooperation so as to bolster the countries’ enhanced comprehensive partnership.
Also on November 30, the Vietnamese official met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who applauded the signing of the plan of action and noted that the plan will create a comprehensive and detailed framework for the effective and substantive development of bilateral ties.
Turnbull said Australia always considers Vietnam as an important and trustworthy Asian-Pacific partner in both politics and economy, and supports the ASEAN nation’s higher role and stature in the region.
Minh rejoiced at the vigorous and comprehensive expansion of Vietnamese-Australian relations, particularly in trade, investment, ODA provision, education, tourism and people-to-people links.
The two countries hold numerous advantages and potential to intensify relations. Australia should facilitate the import of Vietnam’s strong products, especially tropical fruits. Vietnam is also ready to purchase high-quality agricultural products, coal and liquefied gas from Australia, he added.
The Australian PM repeated that his country prioritises close cooperation with Vietnam to successfully organise the APEC Year 2017 and accelerate the ratification and enforcement of the TPP. It will keep working closely with Vietnam at regional and international forums, as well as in security and strategic matters in the region such as the East Sea issue.
The same day, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh had a meeting with President of Australia’s Senate Stephen Parry, who asked Minh to convey his invitation to visit Australia to National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. They agreed to increase exchanging experience between the two countries’ parliaments.