Prime Minister Dung lauds defence ties with Australia

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (right) with Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trong Duc

HA NOI — The close co-operation between Vietnamese and Australian defence ministries was highly valued, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said yesterday.

Dung made the comment when receiving Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith in Ha Noi.

He also expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of the talks between the two defence ministers which took place earlier in the day.

He said Smith's visit would contribute to promoting multifaceted co-operation between the two countries.

The Vietnamese-Australian partnership was developing in politics, diplomacy, economics, military, education, science-technology and culture, Dung said.

Both sides had also co-ordinated and supported each other at international and regional forums.

Dung said he wanted both sides to continue their efforts to lift the two countries' co-operative ties to new heights for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

He asked that the two sides work closely in organising activities to celebrate their diplomatic ties in 2013.

Regarding defence co-operation, Dung proposed both sides actively implement their agreements, particularly agreements reached by the two ministers during the visit.

Smith said his visit aimed to further enhance co-operation between the two countries and the two defence ministries.

Smith said the co-operation between the two ministries had been effective in various aspects, especially in peace keeping and training.

The Australian Defence Ministry would closely work with the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to implement their co-operation agreements, Smith said.

Earlier yesterday, during talks between Vietnamese minister Phung Quang Thanh and Smith, they reviewed recent co-operation and discussed measures to further cement ties by working towards the implementation of their 2010 memorandum of understanding on defence co-operation.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issues, indicating that the two nations would work together to promote peace, friendship and co-operation.

They agreed to continue consulting each other in multilateral forums and to promote bilateral dialogue at various levels.

The two ministries agreed to continue to expand the English training programme for Vietnamese military staff and discuss issues relating to security in the Asia Pacific region on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Smith added that his ministry would assist Viet Nam in the clearance of wartime bombs and land mines. — VNS