National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) receives Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong (Photo: VNA)Hue said this is the first official visit to Australia by aVietnamese senior leader after the 13th National Party Congress in early 2021 to continue implementing the nation’s foreign policy.
He also appreciated Minister Penny Wong’s selection ofVietnam as one of the first countries to visit just one month after she tookoffice in May.
Minister Wong affirmed that Australia always considersVietnam a close friend and partner in the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) and the region.
The two countries’ discussion towards the upgrade of theirrelations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 50thanniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties next year is animportant step forward and achievement, demonstrating the strategic trust and shareddetermination to intensify bilateral cooperation, including in economics,climate change response and other strategic issues, she said.
The Vietnamese top legislator affirmed that the Vietnamese NAsupports the upgrade of the bilateral relations to a Comprehensive StrategicPartnership at an appropriate time when the two countries complete allnecessary procedures.
He proposed that Minister Wong coordinate in promoting visits by the two countries' senior leaders, organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary next year, completing the implementation of the StrategicPartnership Action Programme for 2020-2023 and preparing to build a cooperationframework for the next period, accelerating the implementation of the Australia -Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), intensifying labour cooperation,and expanding collaboration in digital transformation, energy transition, andclimate change adaptation.
He expressed his hope that the two sides will strengthenparliamentary cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, andcoordinate at multilateral forums on parliamentary matters such as the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
Hue also suggested the Australian Government maintain supportand create conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country so that they can continuemaking positive contributions to Australia and the two countries' relations.
Wong affirmed that in her role, she will promote theimplementation of Hue’s proposals, including labour cooperation; and agreed tocomplete the procedures as soon as possible so that seasonal workers andVietnamese agricultural workers could work in Australia.
She asserted that hercountry always attaches importance to collaboration with ASEAN, and continuesto cooperate actively in the Mekong sub-region issue as well as other regional ones.
During his stay, NA Chairman Hue also gave a reception forrepresentatives from the newly-established Australia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’Group.
He announced that the 15th National Assembly of Vietnam hasalso established the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group with11 members, led by the Chairman of the NA’s Law Committee. He showed his wishthat the two groups will play a pivotal role in promoting exchanges between thetwo countries’ parliamentarians, thus enhancing mutual understanding as well asthe sharing of experience and expertise between the two parliaments.
Sharon Clayton, Deputy Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives and President of the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’Group, affirmed that her group will coordinate closely with the Vietnamesecounterpart to promote cooperation between the two parliaments, especially inexchange experience in law making, contributing to lifting the bilateral StrategicPartnership to a new height.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Vietnamese NA Chairman observed Q&Asession in the Senate and the House of Representatives./.
VNA
