Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong discuss measures to boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, while chairing the sixth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Adelaide on October 18. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The signing took place following the sixth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM-6) chaired by the two ministers.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to prioritizing the Vietnam-Australia relationship. They expressed satisfaction at the strong development of bilateral ties across most areas both bilaterally and multilaterally, through maintaining regular exchanges of high-level delegations and cooperation mechanisms, including the Ministerial Security Dialogue, as well as engaging in effective collaboration in United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

They held that the upgrading of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s official visit to Australia in March 2024 represents a significant and historic development in the bilateral ties, marking the beginning of a new era of cooperation characterized by greater political trust and deeper, more substantial collaboration.

Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in trade and investment, aiming for bilateral trade to reach the target of US$20 billion and investment to double, as outlined in Australia’s Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).

Son welcomed the two countries’ recent opening of markets for each other’s fruits and praised Australia for advancing the implementation of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy until 2040 in Vietnam.

He suggested that the two countries continue to strengthen relations through educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, as well as implementing work visa programs that allow Vietnamese nationals to work in Australia.

Wong for her part expressed a desire for Vietnam to continue facilitating Australian businesses’ operations in the country, particularly in the high-tech sector. She proposed further expanding cooperation in areas where Australia has potential and strengths, such as climate change, green growth, energy transition, digital transformation, and innovation.

Australia will continue to support Vietnam in research and development of new technologies, green technologies, energy transition infrastructure, and digital infrastructure, as well as enhancing capacity and developing human resources through ODA projects and investments, she said.

She assured that Australia will increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and expand cooperation and partnerships between educational institutions in both countries.

Regarding cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, both sides agreed to further boost and effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, while strengthening strategic information exchange, including through dialogues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong exchange the signed plan of action to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Australia for the 2024-2027 period. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides held that current circumstances are undergoing fundamental and epoch-making changes, presenting common challenges but also opportunities for countries to enhance cooperation and share responsibilities towards building a peaceful, stable, balanced, open, and inclusive region and world that respects international law and promotes multilateralism, and collective actions for a common future.

In this spirit, they agreed to further strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly within the United Nations and ASEAN.

Wong emphasized Australia’s commitment to cooperating with ASEAN and recognizing ASEAN’s central role, pledging to increase cooperation for sustainable development in the Mekong subregion under the Mekong-Australia Partnership.

On the East Sea issue, both sides affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, while respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).