Foreign Minister co-chairs fourth meeting with Australian counterpart
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and her Australian counterpart Penny Wong co-chaired the fourth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canberra on September 12.
Sydney (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son and her Australian counterpart Penny Wong co-chaired thefourth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canberra on September12.
🐼 They affirmed determination to strengthen bilateralstrategic partnership on the back of long-standing friendship and cooperation.
The two ministers shared the view thatbilateral ties have been growing in various areas. Trade and investment havebecome a spotlight in bilateral ties with two-way trade hitting 9.6 billion USDin seven months of this year, up nearly 40% annually. Progress has been seen inanti-crimes, culture, education, tourism and labour.
They discussed ways to further deepen strategicpartnership, including holding visits at all levels and celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, bolstering bilateral economic-trade-investmentties.
Son suggested Australia expand the supply ofofficial development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in new fields of demand, makeit easier for Vietnam’s agro-fisheries to enter Australia, firstly passionfruit, pomelo and fresh shrimp.
Wong promised to offer all possible support toVietnamese firms to do business in Australia as well as step up mutuallybeneficial cooperation in the fields of agriculture, clean energy and ODA.
❀ About labour cooperation, they will revise theMemorandum of Understanding on Agriculture Visa programme to suit newsituation.
On the occasion, Son suggested Australiaincrease quota for Vietnamese citizens to Australia under the Working HolidayVisa programme, as well as create conditions for the Vietnamese community inAustralia to contribute to bilateral ties.
Both sides mulled ways to consolidate ties intraditional fields such as national defence-security, education-training andtourism. They vowed to reinforce coordination in new fields like climate changeresponse, digital transformation, digital economy, energy and food security,and workforce training.
On regional and global issues of sharedconcern, they consented to continue offering mutual support at multilateralorganisations and forums, especially at ASEAN and the United Nations.
Wong affirmed that Australia treasurescomprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN and ASEAN’s central role in the region.She pledged to boost collaboration for the sub-Mekong region’s sustainable developmentwithin the framework of the Mekong-Australia Partnership.
♛ Both ministers also agreed to intensify cooperation at sea to maintain peace and stability in the region and the EastSea./.
Vietnamese Students in Australia (SVAU) convened its second congress in Canberra on August 6 to review its performance during the 2020-2022 tenure and map out plans for the next term from 2022 – 2024.
The Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam – Australia Friendship Association held its sixth Congress for the 2022-2027 tenure on August 26 to review the past achievements and outline working orientations for new tenure.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh has written an article highlighting outstanding achievements in Vietnam – Australia ties over the past five decades on the threshold of the official Australia visit by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
