Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese President VoVan Thuong and Governor-General of Australia David Hurley expressed theirdelight at the practical and effective development of thestrategic partnership between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on April 4.

The talks followed an officialwelcome ceremony hosted by President Thuong and his spouse for the Australian leader and his spouse, who are paying aState visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming his guest, President Thuongunderlined the importance of the visit, which marks the start of the yearcelebrating the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomaticrelations, and that it will help create a new impetus for the strategicpartnership.

Both host and guest shared the viewthat many cooperation areas identified in the action plan for 2020 - 2023 havebecome pillars or bright spots in the bilateral ties, including security - defence,economy - trade, science - technology, education - training, andpeople-to-people exchange.

Perceiving that there remains muchroom and potential for cooperation, they discussed major orientations foraugmenting the two countries’ ties in various spheres and agreed to considerthe upgrade of the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at a suitablepoint of time.

They said the two sidesshould maintain trust; enhance friendship, mutual understanding and respect viadelegation exchanges and meetings at all levels; step up friendship exchangesbetween social circles of the two countries, especially friendship associations, parliamentaryfriendship groups, and associations of the youth, students, and women;coordinate to organise meaningful activities in both countries to celebrate the50th anniversary of diplomatic relations to boost public awarenessof the bilateral friendship and cooperation; and foster the effectiveimplementation of the signed agreements.

President Thuong asked both sides, onthe basis of the Vietnam - Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES),to bolster bilateral trade and investment via effective measures, includingconsidering the facilitation of each other’s strong exports, issuing policiesto encourage businesses to increase investment in each other’s countries, andencouraging Australian firms to invest in such fields as energy,infrastructure, mining, telecoms, finance - banking, hi-tech agriculture, and educationin Vietnam.

He described the cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations as a highlight inthe countries’ relations and called on Australia to continue working closelywith Vietnam in fighting transnational crimes, managing exit and entry,preventing illegal migration, and controlling and handling terroristindividuals and organisations that may use its territory to conduct sabotageactivities against Vietnam.

Governor-General Hurley agreed on theneed to pay more attention to cultural, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.

He recommended the two sides soonfinalise procedures for implementing the memorandum of understanding on theAustralian Agriculture Visa Programme so that Vietnamese citizens can work inagriculture in Australia, create conditions for Vietnamese students to study inhis country, encourage more Australians to go travel and study in Vietnam underthe Working Holiday Maker Programme and the New Colombo Plan, boost post-pandemictourism promotion activities, and strengthen locality-to-locality links.

The visiting leader also highlyvalued the establishment of the Vietnam - Australia Centre at the Ho Chi MinhNational Academy of Politics, affirming the continuation of conditions for theVietnamese community in his country to live, study, work, and set upassociations in accordance with local law.

He also asked Vietnam to continuegiving favourabe conditions for Australian citizens to travel, study, invest,and do business in the Southeast Asian country.

Talking about regional andinternational issues, President Thuong applauded Australia’s high prioritygiven to relations with Southeast Asia and Vietnam, and the enhancement of tieswith the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two leaders agreed that the two countries will keep increasing consultation and closely coordinating atregional and international forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN, andASEAN-led mechanisms.

They reaffirmed the importance ofpeace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, and the cooperation with other countries to build a region of stability and prosperity,as well as the respect for national sovereignty and law.

Earlier on April 4, Governor-General Hurley and the high-ranking delegation ofAustralia paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late Vietnamese leader’smausoleum. They also laid wreaths at the monument to heroes and martyrs inHanoi.

Vietnam and Australia set up their diplomatic ties in 1973, comprehensive partnership in 2009, enhancedcomprehensive partnership in 2015, and later strategic partnership in2018./.