Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his wish to elevate the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during an online talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on May 25.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (Photo: VNA) – Australian Prime Minister Scott
Morrison expressed his wish to elevate the Vietnam-Australia
strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during an online talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh
Chinh on May 25.
Morrison affirmed that he attaches importance to advancing
the bilateral relationship, and lauded achievements Vietnam has recorded in
COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as socio-economic development and foreign
affairs over the past time.
In reply, Chinh affirmed his willingness to closely
coordinate with Morrison in developing the strategic partnership effectively, intensively
and pragmatically.
He suggested Australia continue its technical support
to Vietnam and further facilitate Vietnamese agricultural
and aquatic products' access to the Australian market.
The PM called on Australia to encourage its firms to step up investment in Vietnam, and funnel its official development
assistance (ODA) into infrastructure projects, agricultural development,
poverty reduction, climate change response and high-quality personnel training
in the Southeast Asian nation.
Chinh also noted a hope for stronger collaboration in
military medicine and peace-keeping operations, and proposed Australia continue
to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community and students in the country.
He used the occasion to thank Australia for committing
40 million AUD (31.04 million USD) to support Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine
procurement, pledging to closely cooperate with the Australian side to fruitfully
implement the aid package.
The PM appealed to Australia to help Vietnam access the
AstraZeneca vaccine produced in the country as soon as possible.
The two Government leaders consented to set higher targets in investment
and trade links, towards sustainable recovery after the pandemic, soon complete and
sign the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, forge
collaboration in science and technology, and effectively implement the Vietnam-Australia
Innovation Partnership for 2022-2025.
The two countries will also strengthen their cooperation
at regional and international mechanisms and forums.
Praising Australia’s active role in ASEAN and Mekong
Sub-region mechanisms, Chinh suggested the country implement tripartite cooperation with Laos and Cambodia, focusing on practical sectors that would
improve socio-economic situation and personnel training.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two PMs affirmed the significance
of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and
aviation, peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law,
including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (1982
UNCLOS) and effectively and fully realise the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards reaching a substantial and effective Code
of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./.