Australia wants to soon upgrade relations with Vietnam

Australian Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and proposed that Vietnam complete internal procedures to soon upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the afternoon of September 7, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed that Australia attaches great importance to strengthening relations with Vietnam and hopes to soon welcome General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to visit.

Australia pledged to always prioritize ODA support for Vietnam, especially in areas of Vietnam's need such as climate change adaptation, energy transition, digital transformation, and digital economy. He also suggested that Vietnam complete internal procedures to soon announce the upgrading of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the appropriate time.

The Australian Prime Minister also acknowledged Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal to strengthen cooperation in labor, education and training, and provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the afternoon of September 7. Photo: Nhat Bac

The two Prime Ministers agreed to actively contribute to promoting dialogue, cooperation and trust building through ASEAN-led mechanisms, on the basis of respecting ASEAN's central role.

Australia supports ASEAN's efforts to promote narrowing the development gap and support less developed regions, including the Mekong sub-region.

Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1973, then upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in March 2018. During the official visit to Australia by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in December 2022, both sides supported considering upgrading the relationship at an appropriate time, once relevant procedures are completed.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on August 22, agreeing to focus on effectively implementing high-level agreements, including realizing the intention to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Comprehensive strategic partnership is the highest level in relations between countries. To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with nearly 200 countries, of which 33 are Strategic Partners and Comprehensive Partners. Vietnam's four current Comprehensive Strategic Partners are China, Russia, India, and South Korea.

Viet Tuan

source