Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Donald Marles. (Photo: VNA)At a reception for visiting Australian Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister for Defence Richard Donald Marles in Hanoi, the PM highlighted cooperationoutcomes in UN peacekeeping operations, military medicine, the sharing ofinformation and experience and the settlement of war consequences, as well as thetwo countries’ cooperation at multilateral mechanisms, particularly the ASEANDefence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM ).
PM Chinh suggested the two sides continue with existing cooperation fields, focusing on high-levelvisits and meetings, firstly well preparing for the upcoming official visit to Australia byNational Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
The two countries should prioritise cooperation inUN peacekeeping operations, he said, calling on Australia to continue itssupport to Vietnam in transporting the level-2 field hospital to South Sudan in2023 and the following years.
The PM noted his belief that Marles's visit willcontribute to strengthening the bilateral defence ties, thus further developing theVietnam-Australia relationship in line with their strategic partnership forpeace, prosperity and development in each country, the region and the world atlarge.
Emphasising Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence,self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, and beinga good friend and a reliable and responsible member of the internationalcommunity, he said Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations withAustralia and highly values the country’s potential and position in theinternational arena.
The government leader also highlighted the bilateral trade andinvestment ties, and Australia’s timely support to Vietnam in COVID-19prevention and control.
For his part, Marles suggested Vietnam andAustralia upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnershipin 2023 when they mark the 50th founding anniversary of diplomaticties.
The two sides should work harder to accelerate theimplementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CPTPP)and other cooperation mechanisms to elevate their cooperation to a new height,especially in trade, investment, climate change response, education-training,and national defence and security.
Lauding Marles's cooperation initiatives, PM Chinhexpressed his hope that the official will pay more attention to expanding anddeepening the Vietnam-Australia relations, particularly in politics andeconomy, trade and investment, contributing to ensuring the sustainability ofsupply chains between the two countries as well as in the region and theworld./.
VNA
