(VOVworld) – The Friendship Associations of Vietnam and Australia want to boost their relationship and believe that their stronger ties will benefit both countries.

(Photo: Australia-Vietnam Friendship Society)

A memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two organisations was signed in Hanoi Monday. According to the document, in the future Vietnam and Australia will promote educational and cultural exchanges, people-to-people diplomacy, and humanitarian aid for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and disadvantaged children. Chairman Kim Sampson said Association members are following the situation in the East Sea, adding that China’s illegal deployment of oil-rig Haiyang 981 within Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf has jeopardized regional security and stability. He said his Association will ask the Australian Foreign Minister to speak out about the situation.