Prof. Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales (Photo: VNA)In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the summit, the expert showed impression at the MelbourneDeclaration, which includes Australia’s commitments to supporting the ASEAN’scentrality, ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Vision, the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FreeTrade Agreement, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership, in which Vietnam forms a part.
According to Thayer, Vietnam has shown a special interest tothese issues which are important to the country on the path of achieving itsdevelopment goals until 2045 of becoming a high-income developed country.
The important thing is that following the summit, leaders ofASEAN and Australia shared their desire to continue promoting a rules-basedregional architecture, upholding international law, maintaining ASEA’s centralrole, and keeping respectful, stable, and peaceful relationships amongcountries.
They also committed to promoting strategic trust andcooperation, strengthening dialogue and open dialogue within ASEAN-ledmechanisms to enhance mutual understanding, minimising the risk ofmiscalculation, preventing conflicts, and cooperating to address maritimepollution and sustainable development in the lower Mekong River, he said.
Vietnam, with special attention to multilateralisation and diversificationof external relations, has become an active and positive member of theinternational community, he said, describing the country as a “crew member on theASEAN ship” that always wants to keep it on track and affirms to othercrew members that all share a common future. By 2040, the grouping can becomethe second or fourth largest economy in the world if it maintains its growthrate, he said.
Thayer highlighted Vietnam’s diplomatic achievements, stressing it hasbeen elected twice as a non-permanent member of the United Nations SecurityCouncil, showing other countries’ confidence in Vietnam as a sincere mediator,and their wish to cooperate with Vietnam. It always has positive andconstructive comments on how to promote the agenda and help ASEAN gradually achieveprogress in sensitive areas, he stated.
According to the expert, supporting the building of astrong and united ASEAN is important to Australia. By signing a trade agreementwith ASEAN, Australia can work with all the 10 member countries to the same standards. AndVietnam plays an important role in this issue by sharing its experiences withother ASEAN countries and keeping ASEAN autonomous, Thayer held./.
VNA
