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National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (left) and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles |
The top Vietnamese legislator, who is paying an official visit to Australia from November 30 to December 3, told the Australian leader that the relationship between the two countries are growing in all aspects, including national defense and security.
He hailed Australia for assisting Vietnam to join United Nations peacekeeping missions, specifically providing language training for military personnel and helping Vietnam deploy level-2 field hospitals in South Sudan.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Australian Department of Defense for offering timely donation of medical supplies to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense for COVID-19 prevention and control.
Marles, who is also a member of the Australian Parliament and Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party, agreed to continue intensifying bilateral defense - security cooperation, affirming that Australia will continue with its support in the training of military officers, peacekeeping missions and sending naval ships to visit Vietnam.
He also agreed to early establish the mechanism of ministerial-level defense consultation dialogue, update the Joint Vision Statement promoting defense cooperation signed in 2018, and consider expanding collaboration in promising fields such as defense industry, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, transnational crime prevention, cyber security, and increase the sharing of information on issues related to national security and the interests of the two countries.
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At the reception for Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles |
The two sides consented to strengthen cooperation at multilateral mechanisms, including the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+); settle disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea internationally) via peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982; and ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
Receiving Senator Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism, on the same day, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested the two sides discuss and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of mechanisms on a ministerial-level dialogue on trade and another on energy and mining.
As there remains ample room to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, he proposed the two countries continue create favorable conditions for enterprises and investors and informed that during his visit, economic and education cooperation forums will be held.
He also suggested Australia pay attention to implementing the 2021-2025 Action Plan of the Vietnam - Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) and actively assist Vietnam in energy transition and ensuring energy security.
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At the reception for Senator Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism (Photo: vov.vn) |
Farrell, for his part, expressed his wish that the two countries will hold a ministerial-level dialogue on trade next year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties to further promote economic-trade-investment ties.
Australia is striving to become a renewable and clean energy powerhouse and will continue cooperating with Vietnam in this field, he said.
In the first nine months of this year, two-way trade soared by over 30% annually to 12 billion USD, making Australia the seventh largest trade partner of Vietnam for the first time. At present, Vietnam is Australia's tenth largest trade partner. The bilateral trade value for the whole year is estimated at 15 billion USD.
Source: VNA