CANBERRA — Prime Minister of Việt Nam Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove hailed the importance of the establishment of a strategic partnership between their countries at a meeting in Canberra on Thursday.

PM Phúc expressed his delight that his visit coincided with the 45th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Governor-General Cosgrove said he is impressed with the development of Việt Nam’s economy in recent years, congratulating the country on its integration and improving its role and stature in the region and the world, especially the successful organisation of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week last year.

The two sides described the strategic partnership establishment as a breakthrough in bilateral relations, creating a new framework and opportunities for co-operation. They affirmed their resolve to increase high-ranking visits and meetings and step up people-to-people exchange.

Cosgrove confirmed that he will visit Việt Nam in late May as a practical contribution to celebrations of the 45-year diplomatic relationship.

He said that people-to-people and cultural exchange and tourism co-operation provided a solid foundation for the strategic partnership.

There are currently nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students in Australia, more than 60,000 others who used to study in Australia and over 1,000 under the New Colombo Plan. Nearly 500,000 Australians visited Viet Nam in 2017. Those figures show the two countries’ close-knit connection, he noted.

At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to enhance co-operation in security, defence, economy-trade-investment, education, labour and science-technology.

The Governor-General said the Vietnamese community with more than 300,000 people in Australia are making important contributions to and affirming their role in local socio-economic life, becoming a bridge linking the two nations.

PM Phúc thanked and asked Australia to continue creating favourable conditions for expats to integrate into the local society and do more for bilateral ties.

Discussing regional and international issues of shared concern, PM Phúc lauded the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit hosted for the first time by Australia in Sydney. Meanwhile, Governor-General Cosgrove reiterated his country’s stance of supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea (East Sea)  and the compliance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

After the meeting, Governor-General Cosgrove drove a buggy taking PM Phúc and his spouse to see kangaroos in the grounds of the Government House, a special act showing Australia’s respect for Việt Nam.

Later on Thursday, the two leaders and their spouses, along with government officials of Việt Nam and Australia, attended a banquet marking the 45th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations.

In his speech, Governor-General Cosgrove said Australia is proud to have a friend like Việt Nam and support Việt Nam to develop. He voiced his belief that the two countries’ connectivity will continue to flourish in the future.

PM Phúc also expressed his belief in a bright future for bilateral relations, particularly when the strategic partnership is implemented in all aspects, for the sake of the two peoples and for a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific. — VNS