(VOVWORLD) - Australia attaches importance to relations with Vietnam and wants to take their strategic partnership to new heights, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told President Vo Van Thuong.
 Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit 2023 in San Francisco, USA, |
Meeting Thuong on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2023 in San Francisco on November 17, Albanese recalled his recent visit to Vietnam and affirmed that Vietnam is one of Australia’s major strategic partners in the region.
He pledged to continue prioritizing ODA and cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of digital transformation, green economy and climate change response.
Thuong for his part congratulated Australia on its recent socio-economic achievements and highly appreciated the successful visits to Vietnam by Governor General David Hurley and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this year, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He thanked the Australian Government for providing Vietnam with ODA in a stable manner, including its development aid to infrastructure development in the Mekong river delta, as well as supporting the country in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
 President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discuss measures to strengthen Vietnam - Australia relations bilaterally and globally |
The President proposed that the two sides continue to increase the exchange of high-level delegations at all levels, promote cooperation mechanisms more effectively, and strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade - investment, defense - security, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
He also proposed that the Australian government create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate well into their host country and contribute to relations between the two countries.
The two leaders reviewed the positive developments in Vietnam-Australia relations in recent times, especially after the two countries established their strategic partnership in 2018. They agreed that the trust and friendship between the two peoples as well as the encouraging achievements in multifaceted cooperation are an important basis for the two countries to raise bilateral relations to a higher level.
The two side also agreed to continue supporting each other at regional and international forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and APEC. They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue and cooperation in the Mekong sub-region.