Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visited the Australian National University (ANU), one of the world’s top research universities, right after his arrival in Canberra yesterday.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

CANBERRA — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visited the Australian National University (ANU), one of the world’s top research universities, right after his arrival in Canberra yesterday. 

Talking with the ANU leaders, lecturers and students, the PM highlighted Việt Nam’s dynamic economy, saying the country had set up trade ties with over 230 countries and territories worldwide and signed 12 free trade agreements (FTAs). 

Việt Nam had also joined many international organisations such as the UN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), he said. 

The leader highly valued Australia’s support for and co-operation with Việt Nam, especially in education, high-tech agriculture and climate change response, adding that the two countries had also co-operated in many multilateral forums and engaged in many regional trade and investment agreements, with the latest being the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

Việt Nam and Australia also shared viewpoints on issues of keeping peace and ensuring regional security, including the East Sea matter, Phúc said. 

He also informed the ANU leaders, lecturers and students that during his ongoing visit to Australia, the two sides would officially elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. 

Responding to ANU Chancellor Gareth Evans’s question regarding Việt Nam’s business environment, the PM said the Vietnamese Government had continuously improved the domestic business environment, which has been recognised by prestigious organisations like the WB and the World Economic Forum. 

Mentioning prospects for educational co-operation between Việt Nam and Australia, he expressed his hope that the ANU would expand its connection with Vietnamese educational facilities to exchange experience and students. 

“We are ready to create the best conditions for the ANU and other universities of Australia to step up educational collaboration with Việt Nam,” he stressed. 

He noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training is scheduled to sign a co-operation agreement with the Australian Department of Education and Training for 2018-23. 

Following the talk, Phúc had a roundtable with leaders of the ANU, during which he emphasised the fruitful relationship between Việt Nam and Australia, particularly in education and training. 

He noted that about 30,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Australia, the highest number of Vietnamese students in any foreign country, saying the figure reflected the confidence of Vietnamese students and their parents in Australian universities. 

Besides, up to 60,000 Vietnamese graduates from Australian educational facilities have returned home to serve the nation, the leader added. 

Phúc said apart from co-operation in trade, investment and other areas, the affiliation in education-training should be intensified after the two countries elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. 

Later the same day, Phúc met with the Vietnamese Embassy’s staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Australia. 

The leader asked the embassy and the overseas Vietnamese to contribute more to enhancing trade ties between Việt Nam and Australia, surpassing the present figure of US$7 billion. 

The Party and State always considered the Vietnamese community abroad an integral part of the nation, he said, noting his hope that the OVs would unite and look towards the homeland. 

The 40-member club of Vietnamese scientists in Canberra also made a debut on this occasion. — VNS