VOV.VN -Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has applauded outgoing Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick’s contributions to Vietnam-Australia ties and congratulated him on having successfully fulfilled his tasks in Vietnam.

At a reception in Hanoi on July 3 for the Australian diplomat, Deputy PM Dam said the Friendship Order presented to him is the Vietnamese State and Government’s highest recognition of his positive contributions while showing his elation at the development of bilateral ties across a wide range of fields, including trade, defence-security and education. 

Dam underlined the need for both sides to take practical measures to facilitate bilateral trade and investment. He urged them to work hand in hand to make use of the multilateral agreements to which both are parties, especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

During the 2016-2018 period, two-way trade soared by 17% annually on average. Agricultural products of Vietnam’s strength like lychee, mango and dragon fruit have entered the Australian market, which is seen as a good sign for other farm produce, he said.

The Deputy PM also extolled effective cooperation in defence-security, adding that Australia has actively helped Vietnam train and dispatch officers to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

He appreciated Australia’s official development assistance for Vietnam while asking the Australian Government to take heed to the country’s key areas such as infrastructure, poverty reduction, climate change response, and competitiveness improvement.

On collaboration in education and science-technology, he asked Australia to help Vietnam with human resources training, innovation programmes and scientific-technological research.

Localities should intensify people-to-people exchange, and cooperation on culture, tourism and sports, thus creating a solid foundation for enhancing all-round partnerships at all levels, noted.

Ambassador Chittick, in turn, said his country has assisted Vietnam in numerous aspects over the past years towards stronger bilateral relations in the time ahead.

The diplomat also pledged his best efforts to contribute to the two countries’ strategic partnership in whatever his future position.