Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong August 20. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính suggested Việt Nam and Australia discuss ways to boost two-way trade to the US$20 billion target, especially via the opening of markets and facilitation of exports from both countries.

The leader made the suggestion at a reception in Hà Nội on Wednesday for Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, who is in Việt Nam to co-chair the 7th Việt Nam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

PM Chính commended Minister Wong for her contributions and effective cooperation between the two foreign ministries in advancing Việt Nam-Australia relations.

He extended greetings to Australian leaders and once again congratulated his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on the Labour Party’s victory in the May 2024 general election. He also expressed hope to host PM Albanese in Việt Nam soon.

The host expressed pleasure at the rapid and substantive progress of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides have been rolling out joint projects and activities under their Action Plan on schedule.

Two-way topped $14 billion in 2024, supported by reciprocal market openings for farm produce. Việt Nam exported passion fruit to Australia for the first time, while Australian plums entered the Vietnamese market.

Registered FDI from Australia has exceeded $3 billion, and Australia has raised its official development assistance for Việt Nam to 96.6 million AUD ($62 million).

Looking ahead, he said there remains vast potential for cooperation. He urged both sides to continue effectively carrying out the Action Plan, hold regular dialogues and consultations to fortify political trust.

The host suggested further expanding defence and security cooperation, particularly in cybersecurity, digital transformation and equipment support to enhance Việt Nam’s capacity. Sharing Việt Nam’s vision on sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation, he hoped to see breakthroughs in collaboration in these fields, especially in human resource training and biomedical technology.

Wong expressed her honour to visit Việt Nam at a time when the country is preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding, noting that this is an important moment for both nations to reflect on history and shape future cooperation.

She affirmed that the Australian Government attaches great importance to Việt Nam’s role in the region as well as to bilateral relations, and wishes to discuss measures to further deepen the partnership, based on common views and visions on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Wong pledged to make efforts to advance the sides’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including strengthening defence and security ties, expanding collaboration in science and technology, digital transformation and innovation, education and training and human resources development through ODA projects and investment funds.

She also committed to enhancing bilateral coordination to contribute to regional peace, stability and cooperation and upholding respect for international law, while underlining the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). — VNA