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| Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc receives Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne in Hà Nội on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng |
HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and Australia reaffirmed the strength of their relationship on Thursday as Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne in Hà Nội.
At the PM’s reception for the visiting Australian minister, he lauded the development of bilateral defence ties in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed in 2010. Payne spoke highly of the bilateral defence links in the current global context. She said the ties have made historic advances, especially since Việt Nam joined the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.
The PM asked for Australia’s further support in importing and consuming Vietnamese products, especially fruits and aquatic products.
With regard to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), he said Việt Nam will seriously consider the deal and discuss it with Australian government leaders.
On the East Sea issue, he noted his desire that Australia continue to raise its strong voice to support the settlement of the East Sea dispute peacefully. The settlement, he said, should be based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He said it should abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Defence Minister Payne said Australia always deals with regional issues in line with international law.
The PM also expressed his support for countries in the region to enhance anti-terrorism collaboration, and Payne noted her hope that Việt Nam would closely partner with Australia in the fight against terrorism
Hailing Việt Nam’s role in the region, the guest said the TPP could still bring benefits to member states and the Australian government hopes to pursue the deal. — VNS
