During a meeting with President Luong Cuong on 9/10 at the Presidential Palace, Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn affirmed that Australia is always a reliable and sustainable partner of Vietnam, and will continue to accompany, support, and assist Vietnam in implementing reforms to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Luong Cuong and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the Presidential Palace on 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

President Luong Cuong and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the Presidential Palace on 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

Both sides agreed that the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 3/2024 was a historic step, demonstrating strategic trust and strong determination to further strengthen bilateral relations in the new period.

The two leaders considered defense and security cooperation a key pillar of the bilateral partnership and agreed to further expand effective collaboration in this area. Australia will continue to support Vietnam in training officers and participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations, especially in transporting field hospitals to the Vietnamese mission in South Sudan.

The president acknowledged Australia's support through various initiatives, such as human resource development programs, cooperation through the Vietnam-Australia Centre at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, leadership training programs, promoting gender equality, building effective public governance models, and developing human rights education in Vietnam.

The president also requested Australia's continued support in training senior leaders at the central and local levels, particularly in training teachers and lecturers, connecting training programs between the two countries, promoting cooperation and exchange of experience between training institutions, and strengthening collaboration between leading research agencies and universities of the two countries.

The Governor-General praised the significant contributions of the Vietnamese community of approximately 350,000 people in Australia, including nearly 40,000 Vietnamese students studying and researching in the country, emphasizing that people-to-people exchanges are the solid foundation of the bilateral relationship.

The two sides agreed to enhance economic cooperation, aiming for a trade turnover of 20 billion USD and doubling bilateral investment in the coming years, increasing market access for each other's key products.

Vietnam looks forward to a stronger investment flow from Australian businesses based on Australia's economic connectivity initiatives with Southeast Asia, including the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

They also agreed to encourage research institutions and scientists from both countries to collaborate on joint research projects, especially in strategic technology areas such as artificial intelligence, new materials, and biomedical technology.

Vietnam and Australia will continue to coordinate closely at international and regional forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as Mekong Sub-region development cooperation and APEC cooperation. Australia supports Vietnam's and ASEAN's principled stance on ensuring maritime and aviation security, safety, and freedom in the South China Sea, resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

On the same day, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Governor-General Mostyn, affirming that Vietnam always values the friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia. He emphasized that the bilateral relationship has come a long way, reaching a level few could have imagined when the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn on 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn on 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

Governor-General Mostyn stressed that Australia desires to be a reliable and sincere partner of Vietnam. The two leaders agreed to continue strengthening the pillar of defense and security cooperation, making it increasingly trustworthy and strategic, further enhancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation, development cooperation, education and training, science and technology, cultural cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

On the afternoon of 9/10, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Mostyn, suggesting both sides enhance delegation exchanges, high-level and all-level contacts, cooperation, exchange, and sharing of experiences between the two legislatures.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn on the afternoon of 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn on the afternoon of 9/10. Photo: Giang Huy

Governor-General Mostyn emphasized that Australia will continue to support Vietnam in human resource training and development, continuing to provide ODA and financial and technical assistance to help Vietnam achieve its growth targets. She highly valued the cooperation between the two countries in education and training, expressing her delight that Australia has provided more than 70 scholarship programs for Vietnam.

The Governor-General agreed to further promote trade and investment cooperation, cooperation on gender equality, especially in women's empowerment, as well as cooperation on climate change in the Mekong Delta region.

Governor-General Mostyn is on a state visit to Vietnam from 9-12/9. The two countries are major trading partners with a trade turnover of over 14 billion USD in 2024. The number of tourists between the two countries has steadily increased over the years, and there are currently 56 return flights per week between the two countries.

Australian businesses have been and are being facilitated to develop investment and business in Vietnam. Vietnam actively acts as a bridge for Australia to strengthen its links with Southeast Asia, contributing to promoting the Australia-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and practical cooperation between Australia and the Mekong Sub-region.

Vu Hoang