Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (L) and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the signing ceremony of the Vietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019 (Photo: VNA)Sydney (VNA) – Australia continues to see Vietnam as one of its keypartners in Asia-Pacific, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Vietnamese DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 30.
At thetalks, Minh, who is on an official visit to Australia from November 29 toDecember 1, said his country wants to enhance intensive and effectivecooperation with Australia in all fields for the sake of the two peoples.
Bothsides expressed their delight at the flourishing relations between theircountries and between the two foreign ministries, especially since Vietnam andAustralia set up the comprehensive partnership in 2009 and signed a declarationon enhancing the comprehensive partnership in 2015.
Thecountries have regularly organised high-level visits and meetings and broughtinto full play bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the high-levelconsultation on development assistance, the joint committee on scientific andtechnological cooperation, the foreign affairs-defence strategic dialogue, andthe agricultural forum.
Australiais currently the eighth largest trade partner of Vietnam and also accommodatesthe biggest number of Vietnamese students. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asiannation has received a large number of Australian students and apprentices underthe New Colombo Plan.
Australia’sdevelopment assistance for Vietnam has been used effectively, thus practicallycontributing to local socio-economic development, the two FMs noted.
Withregard to measures to solidify bilateral relations, Australia pledged tofacilitate Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products’ entrance to itsmarket. It affirmed that Vietnam is an important economic partner in theregion, and it will continue prioritising ODA provision for Vietnam in thefields listed in the Vietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019.
The twosides will coordinate to optimise opportunities and interests generated by theASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the ASEAN EconomicCommunity. They will also promote the ratification and implementation of theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and the finalisation of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership.
At thetalks, the foreign ministers also discussed the regional and internationalsituation and agreed on closer coordination and mutual support at regional andinternational forums.
JulieBishop said Australia supports Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Summit in 2017,along with ASEAN’s solidarity, unity and central role in the regionalarchitecture.
Shereiterated her country’s consistent viewpoint on the East Sea issue,highlighting the need for ensured peace, stability, safety, security andfreedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and unimpeded trade.Australia advocates the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, respect todiplomatic and legal processes, adherence to international law, including the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and avoidance of force or threat touse force.
After thetalks, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh and Minister Bishop signed theVietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019, which details the targets andmeasures in spheres of bilateral and multilateral cooperation so as to bolsterthe countries’ enhanced comprehensive partnership.
Pham Binh Minh and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (Photo: VNA)Also onNovember 30, the Vietnamese official met with Australian Prime Minister MalcolmTurnbull, who applauded the signing of the plan of action and noted that theplan will create a comprehensive and detailed framework for the effective andsubstantive development of bilateral ties.
Turnbullsaid Australia always considers Vietnam as an important and trustworthyAsian-Pacific partner in both politics and economy, and supports the ASEANnation’s higher role and stature in the region.
Minhrejoiced at the vigorous and comprehensive expansion of Vietnamese-Australianrelations, particularly in trade, investment, ODA provision, education, tourismand people-to-people links.
The twocountries hold numerous advantages and potential to intensify relations.Australia should facilitate the import of Vietnam’s strong products, especiallytropical fruits. Vietnam is also ready to purchase high-quality agriculturalproducts, coal and liquefied gas from Australia, he added.
TheAustralian PM repeated that his country prioritises close cooperation withVietnam to successfully organise the APEC Year 2017 and accelerate theratification and enforcement of the TPP. It will keep working closely withVietnam at regional and international forums, as well as in security andstrategic matters in the region such as the East Sea issue.
The sameday, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh had a meeting with President ofAustralia’s Senate Stephen Parry, who asked Minh to convey his invitation tovisit Australia to National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan. They agreed to increase exchanging experience between the twocountries’ parliaments.-VNA
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