Vietnam attaches importance to ties with Australia: Party chief

ABO/NDO – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening its relations with Australia, during his meeting with visiting Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove in Hanoi on May 24.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) and Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.

The Party chief welcomed the Governor-General to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties, expressing his belief that Australia will continue to succeed in building a unified multicultural nation with an increasingly important role and voice in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

He voiced his wish that the Vietnam-Australia relations would be facilitated in an effective and substantive fashion across spheres, especially economy-trade-investment, security-defence, education-training, and science-technology, thus meeting the aspirations and practical interests of the two countries’ people.

General Secretary Trong suggested that both sides actively implement the high-level agreements reached, promote the efficiency of the existing cooperation mechanisms, and facilitate the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings, including the Party channel, aiming to create a solid political connection, thereby accelerating the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two sides pledge to continue their close coordination at multilateral, regional and international forums, including the United Nations. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

For his part, Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove applauded the elevation of Vietnam-Australia relations to a strategic partnership in March 2018, hailing this as an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties.

He emphasised that Australia always attaches importance to boosting its cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, including education-training, science-technology, and innovation-reform.

The two sides pledged to continue their close coordination at multilateral, regional and international forums, including the United Nations.

The guest affirmed that Australia would continue to actively coordinate with and support Vietnam as the country is elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation freedom and safety, and peacefully resolving disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

(Source: NDO)