Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (r) meets with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia Tony Smith yesterday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia Tony Smith yesterday in Hà Nội, who said his country will continue assisting Việt Nam with its development process. 

PM Phúc appreciated the Australian parliament leader’s visit to Việt Nam, which he said will help enhance the countries’ strategic partnership, including parliamentary relations. 
Speaker Smith said his visit this time aims to strengthen ties between the two parliaments, Governments and peoples. 
Talking about the recent inauguration of Cao Lãnh Bridge in southern Đồng Tháp Province, he said the Australian-funded facility will not only help improve local people’s lives and socio-economic development but is also an important symbol of bilateral ties. 
The Australian parliament wants to step up cooperation with the National Assembly and Government of Việt Nam, he said, adding that after this trip, his delegation will convey their good impression of the Southeast Asian nation to the Australian parliament so as to bolster bilateral connections in all aspects. 
PM Phúc said amid the thriving strategic partnership, Việt Nam is exerting efforts to realise the two countries’ joint statement signed last March. While bilateral trade has been on the rise, the two sides have coordinated closely at regional and international forums for the sake of peace and development. 
He wanted the two sides to continue reinforcing cooperation, especially in areas such as economy-trade-investment, security-defence, education-training, science-technology, hi-tech agriculture, and development assistance. 
Việt Nam is resolved to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this year and will work closely with Australia to implement this trade pact, he noted. 
The PM affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government appreciate and want Australia to continue supporting ASEAN and Việt Nam’s viewpoint on the East Sea issue, and promoting the serious and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and efforts to achieve a Code of Conduct in the waters. 
He appreciated Australia’s continuation of ODA for Việt Nam, asking both sides to coordinate more closely to successfully organise activities marking 45 years of their diplomatic ties and 20 years of defence relations, thereby contributing to the political trust and mutual understanding between leaders and peoples of the two nations. 
At the meeting, the Speaker of the Australian lower house expressed his support for PM Phúc’s proposals on intensifying bilateral relations. 
Tony Smith affirmed that Australia will continue assisting the development process of Việt Nam. It also respects the freedom of navigation, which is a consistent policy the country has advocated in not only Australia and Việt Nam but also elsewhere in the world. 
The CPTPP is also an important issue for Australia, he said, noting that his country will actively coordinate with Việt Nam on this matter so as to help bring common benefits to members of the agreement.

People-to-people

The two countries should now step up collaboration in the foundational sectors of economy, trade and investment, security and defence, education and training, and high-tech agriculture, said President Trần Đại Quang. 
Hosting the reception for Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia Tony Smith, President Quang underlined that it is necessary for the two countries to facilitate conditions to enhance people-to-people exchange, and coordination in culture, tourism, and sports. 
The State leader spoke highly of the education collaboration between both sides, expressing his hope that the Australian Government would continue its support for Việt Nam in developing high-quality human resources. 
Việt Nam will work closely with Australia to carry out the New Colombo Plan, a US$100 million initiative to increase the number of Australians studying part of their degree in the region to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Asia, and build people-to-people ties, he noted. 
President Quang expressed his wish that Australia will continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community so that they can contribute to the development in each nation as well as bilateral ties. 
Việt Nam, in return, will facilitate Australian citizens’ travel, study and investment in the country, he said. — VNA