Vietnamese, Australian FMs co-chair first Australia - Vietnam FMs’ Meeting

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh joined visiting Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to co-chair the inaugural Australia - Vietnam Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi on May 28.

Vietnamese Deputy PM cum FM Pham Binh Minh and Australian FM Julie Bishop. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
Vietnamese Deputy PM cum FM Pham Binh Minh and Australian FM Julie Bishop. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

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At the talks, the two sides praised the early organisation of the first Vietnam-Australia FMs’ Meeting as one of the first important milestones in the recent-established strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two ministers expressed their pleasure at the strong development of the bilateral relationship, while affirming the importance of upgrading relations to the level of a strategic partnership during the recent official visit to Australia by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

They unanimously agreed to coordinate in the implementation of agreed contents under the Joint Statement on the Establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership and successfully implement the objectives set out in the Australia-Vietnam Plan of Action 2016-19.

The host highly appreciated the results of the recent state visit to Vietnam by Governor-General of Australia on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia (1973-2018), saying that the visit made important contributions to the strengthening of friendship and closer cohesion between the two peoples.

The guest affirmed that her government would continue recognising Vietnam as one of the key partners in the Asia-Pacific region and is keen to further promote bilateral relations, both within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation at regional and international forums.

FM Pham Binh Minh holds talks with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Hanoi on May 28. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The two ministers said that cooperation in the field of economics-trade-investment should be the core of the Strategic Partnership, adding the need to further consolidate strategic trust and political credibility. They stressed the need to promote the potential and strengths of each country and establish more mechanisms for dialogue and information exchange, as well as promoting cooperative fields that have a positive and direct impact on the tightening of friendship and exchanges of people, such as education, culture, sports, and tourism.

FM Minh also appreciated Australia’s commitment in continuing to give Vietnam the third highest level of ODA in South East Asia. He suggested the two sides cooperate to ensure effective use of Australian ODA in projects in Vietnam.

FM Bishop affirmed Australia’s continuous cooperation and support to Vietnam in participating in UN peacekeeping operations and raising the capability in ensuring maritime security and safety.

The two also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to continue to work closely and actively support each other at regional and international forums, especially in the UN, ASEAN, APEC, and EAS. FM Bishop vowed Australia’s support for the unity and central role of ASEAN in the region, while expressing her government’s consistent views on the East Sea issue and continuous contributions to strategic security issues in the region.

Deputy PM Minh affirmed that Vietnam would actively support Australia in expanding cooperation with ASEAN and other countries in the region and launching the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as the APEC 2018 activities and initiatives hosted by Papua New Guinea.