Vietnam-Australia sign Action Plan to implement Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2024-2027

On October 18, in Adelaide, Australia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong co-chaired the 6th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM-6).

Australian Foreign Minister Penny welcomed and co-chaired the Conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son - Photo: BNG

At the Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son once again thanked the Government and people of Australia for being the first country to transport many practical necessities to support Vietnamese localities in overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3 (Yagi).

The two sides affirmed to attach importance to and give high priority to the Vietnam-Australia bilateral relationship and were pleased to see that the relationship between the two countries is developing very well in most areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally. In particular, political relations, contacts and exchanges of delegations at high and all levels are maintained effectively; security and defense cooperation is being implemented comprehensively, with the two sides having just successfully organized the first Ministerial-level Security Dialogue mechanism and effectively cooperating in the field of United Nations peacekeeping.

The two sides agreed that the upgrading of the relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia in March 2024 was a strong and historic step in the bilateral relationship, opening a new era of cooperation with higher political trust, deeper and more substantial cooperation in scope and depth. The two sides agreed to promote high-level visits in the coming time.

The 6th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM-6) - Photo: BNG

The two sides agreed to further strengthen trade and investment cooperation, striving to reach the two-way trade turnover target of 20 billion USD and double investment as stated in the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed the two countries' opening of markets for each other's fruits; and welcomed Australia's promotion of the implementation of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Vietnam.

Minister Penny Wong expressed her hope that Vietnam will continue to facilitate Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam, especially in the high-tech sector; proposed to further expand cooperation in areas where Australia has potential and strengths such as climate change, green growth, energy transition, digital transformation and innovation; affirmed that it will continue to support Vietnam in research and development of new technologies, green technologies, infrastructure development for energy transition and digital infrastructure, capacity building, and human resource development through ODA projects and investment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two countries continue to promote ties through educational cooperation, people-to-people exchange, and the implementation of work visa programs allowing Vietnamese workers to work in Australia. Minister Penny Wong agreed to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and expand cooperation and links between educational institutions of the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister Penny Wong signed the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2024-2027 period - Photo: BNG

Regarding cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the two sides agreed to continue to promote and effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and enhance strategic information exchange, including through channel 1.5 and channel 2 dialogues.

Discussing the regional and international situation, the two sides shared the view that the current situation is facing fundamental and epochal changes, creating common challenges but at the same time, it is also an opportunity for countries to strengthen cooperation and share responsibility in building a peaceful, stable, balanced, open and inclusive region and world, respecting international law, promoting multilateralism and collective actions for a common future. In that spirit, the two sides agreed to further strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and ASEAN.

Minister Penny Wong affirmed that Australia attaches importance to cooperation with ASEAN and ASEAN's central role, and is committed to promoting cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region within the framework of the Mekong-Australia Partnership. Discussing the East Sea issue, the two sides affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and respecting international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

At the end of the Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister Penny Wong agreed on the content and signed the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period 2024 - 2027, creating an important foundation for implementing cooperation contents.

Governor Frances Adamson: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opens up many cooperation opportunities for both Vietnam and Australia

Within the framework of his visit to Australia and co-chairing the Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Conference, on October 18, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson.

According to a VNA correspondent in Australia, at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that upgrading the Vietnam-Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has opened up many cooperation opportunities in various sectors, fields and between localities of the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that South Australia strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in areas of the state's strengths such as high-tech agriculture, food, wine production, renewable energy and hydrogen; suggested that South Australia consider opening a trade and investment office in Vietnam and encourage major universities in the state to open university branches in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son also asked the South Australian Government to create more favorable conditions when granting student visas to Vietnamese students and continue to support the Vietnamese community living, working and studying here.

Pleased to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son, Governor Frances Adamson assessed that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework is opening up many cooperation opportunities for both Vietnam and Australia; affirming that Australia in general and the state of South Australia in particular always give priority and will continue to support Vietnam in socio-economic development.

Governor Frances Adamson said that South Australia wishes to expand trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam through the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES); affirmed that the State Government will create favorable conditions to encourage businesses to seek investment and cooperation opportunities with Vietnam and further strengthen the connection between the two countries, especially between South Australia and Vietnamese localities.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/viet-nam-australia-ky-chuong-trinh-hanh-dong-trien-khai-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-giai-doan-2024-2027-381818.html