 |
| Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: baoquocte.vn) |
In recent times, Vietnam-Australia relations have seen significant, comprehensive progress, with many substantive outcomes, notably the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia in March 2024.
Vietnam and Australia share many similarities and enjoy a high level of strategic trust, which serves as an important foundation for further cooperation in various fields. In the context of rising geopolitical tensions in the region affecting both countries, Vietnam and Australia aim to strengthen close and strategic cooperation under this new relationship to tackle common challenges. Both sides agree to enhance exchanges and consultations to further concretize high-level agreements and expand new areas of cooperation that match the needs, potential and interests of both nations.
The two countries also seek to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation, striving to join each other’s top 10 trading partners and double the bilateral investment as set out in the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).
Australia is keen to promote collaboration with Vietnam in digital transformation, the digital economy, high-tech sectors, wind power investment, supply chain diversification and SME development, in line with Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Vietnam appreciates Australia's practical cooperation programs and projects aimed at supporting Vietnam in enhancing its capabilities and achieving socio-economic development goals. Australia continues to provide ODA to Vietnam in areas such as gender equality, climate change, environment and energy transition.
Education cooperation remains a pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides are facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges, supporting local partnerships, and promoting cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the two nations.
Another key area of cooperation is at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
Recently, in response to the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam, the Australian government announced an initial aid package of AUD3 million, including humanitarian support, emergency relief materials and essential services. The first shipment of emergency relief arrived in Hanoi on September 11. Australia's contribution will complement ongoing relief efforts by the Vietnamese government and the international community, including through humanitarian partnerships with Australian non-governmental organizations.
Australia expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Vietnam for the losses caused by the natural disaster, and sympathized with families who have lost loved ones or have missing relatives. Australia also commended the effective leadership of the Vietnamese government in coordinating relief and emergency response efforts in affected areas./.