VGP – One of the remarkable features of the Viet Nam-Australia relations is that both countries share increasing common interests and mutual trust, diplomat said. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
sign Joint Declaration on establishment of Viet Nam-Australia strategic partnership
in March 2018. Photo: VGP

•Viet Nam, Australia issue Joint Statement on setting up strategic partnership

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Ngo Huong Nam highlighted the point in an interview ahead of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s official visit to Viet Nam next week.

Asked about the significance of the visit, the diplomat expressed his belief that Morrison’s upcoming visit will create fresh impetus for the bilateral ties and it is the evidence of regular exchange of high-level visits between the sides.

Economic cooperation will still remain the key pillar of the Viet Nam-Australia strategic partnership, particularly since the two sides signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Nam said that the bilateral politic and economic cooperation will be the solid foundation for both sides to further advanced their strategic partnership.

Regarding the complicated developments in the East Sea, Nam said the two leaders will exchange views on strategic security issues in the region and the world, including energy and water resource security, climate change, and maritime security, safety and freedom.

The diplomat said Australia holds an important role in the region, thus it could make positive contributions to maintain peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation and rule of law across the Indo-Pacific region.

Viet Nam and Australia upgraded bilateral ties to strategic partnership in March last year on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Australia.

The two countries have actively realized all five cooperation pillars enshrined in the Joint Statement signed during Phuc’s visit, bringing about substantial developments to the relationship, Nam said.

The two-way trade reached nearly US$7  billion in 2018 and the figure increased by 8% to US$3.2 billion in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period last year.

Australia is the 19th biggest foreign investor in Viet Nam with total registered capital of US$1.9 billion, according to Nam while Vietnamese businesses such as VinGroup, TH Group, and VietJet have began investment projects in Australia.

Australia has also maintained high official development assistance to Viet Nam through years, making positive contribution to economic reform and human resource development in the Southeast Asian country.

Both countries have enjoyed robust defense-security cooperation, especially since the signing of the Joint Vision Statement on further defense cooperation on occasion of 20th anniversary of defense cooperation (in 2018), laying long-term orientations and framework for bilateral cooperation in this area.

Australia has also actively supported English training for Vietnamese army and was the first country to help Viet Nam send forces to join United Nations peace-keeping operations./.