ASEAN, Australia agree to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
(VOVWORLD) - ASEAN and Australia have agreed to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for mutual benefit, and conduct early negotiations to develop an action plan for cooperation for the 2025-2029 period, which will be submitted for approval at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos in July.
 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet (Photo: VNA) |
The consensus was reached at the 36th ASEAN-Australia Forum in Melbourne on Tuesday to discuss measures to bolster cooperation and prepare for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne in March to mark the 50th anniversary of their dialogue relationship. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet led Vietnam’s ASEAN Senior Official Meeting delegation.
The action plan will prioritize collaboration in economics, trade, investment, education, training, disaster management, climate change response, the green economy, and energy transition.
 Heads of ASEAN and Australian delegations pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
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Regarding the building the ASEAN Community, Deputy Minister Viet underscored the importance of cooperation to narrow the sub-regional development gap, and praised the achievements of both sides, particularly Australia’s support for ASEAN members in implementing the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, and in developing the Mekong sub-region.
Mr. Viet urged Australia to institutionalize cooperation mechanisms to improve the efficiency of cooperation between Australia and Mekong sub-region countries.