The host expressed his belief that with her understanding and experience, the ambassador would contribute to accelerating relations between the two countries in the time ahead.
He asked Mudie to pay attention to facilitating the exchange of delegations and annual high-level meetings; regularly and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the freshly established ministerial-level mechanisms; review the realisation of the Vietnam-Australia Action Programme in the 2016-2019 period; and promptly design an action programme to implement the strategic partnership between 2020-2023.
PM Phuc highly appreciated the effective cooperation and coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums, particularly at the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Greater Mekong Sub-region.
He wished for closer Vietnam-Australia collaboration in the time ahead, especially as Vietnam assumes the role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc poses with Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie at the reception in Hanoi on August 22. (Photo: VGP)
The leader stated that Vietnam would work closely with Australia in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 to maintain ASEAN’s central role and further promote the strategic partnership between the bloc and Australia.
He also called for Australia’s continued provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in the future.
Concerning the upcoming official visit to Vietnam by Australian PM Scott Morrison, PM Phuc highlighted the significance of the visit, saying that he is looking forward to meeting the Australia leader again. The PM highly appreciated the efforts made by the two countries’ Foreign Ministries and ambassadors in preparing for the visit.
For her part, Ambassador Robyn Mudie expressed her gratitude for Vietnam’s thorough preparations for the Australian PM’s coming visit, noting that Australia attaches great importance to the visit, which aims to further enhance its relations with Vietnam, especially in the field of trade and investment.
She informed the host that during the visit, PM Scott Morrison will be accompanied by many leading Australian businesses who are aspiring to cooperate with Vietnam concerning the spheres of infrastructure, energy, aviation and education.
Australia is willing to stand by Vietnam as the country assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, the diplomat affirmed.
