President: Vietnam values strategic partnership with Australia
Vietnam always values the promotion of friendly relations and strategic partnership with Australia, a long-standing traditional partner and one of the countries forming comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN, President Vo Van Thuong told Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski during a reception in Hanoi on March 17.
President Vo Van Thuong (R) and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always values thepromotion of friendly relations and strategic partnership with Australia, a long-standingtraditional partner and one of the countries forming comprehensive strategic partnershipwith ASEAN, President Vo Van Thuong told Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski duringa reception in Hanoi on March 17.
PresidentThuong thanked Australia for being the second largest donor of COVID-19vaccines to Vietnam with 26.4 million doses, thus helping the country driveback the pandemic and recover socio-economic development.
He saidtwo-way trade between the two countries hit 16.1 billion USD last year. With579 projects worth nearly 1.98 billion USD, Australia ranked 20th out of 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. During the 2022-2023fiscal year, Australia increased the supply of official development assistanceto Vietnam by 18% and assisted the country in development cooperation projects,especially in improving livelihoods and clean water supply. In particular,Australia assisted Vietnam in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Speakinghighly of the Australian Government’s scholarship programmes, Thuong said a numberof Australian educational establishments have contributed to the training ofVietnamese management officials.
Thehost suggested enhancing collaboration in fields of each country’s strengthsuch as climate change, environment, agriculture and tourism to match bilateralstrategic partnership.
Vietnamwill actively fight corruption, fine-tune laws, create the best businessenvironment to attract more foreign investors, including those from Australia,he said.
Goledzinowski, for his part, said 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and he will actively contribute tobilateral relationship.
He proposed further coordination in UN peacekeeping missions,national defence-security, personnel training, climate change and use ofrenewable energy.
The guest wished to receive support from the Vietnameseministries and agencies in Australia’s investment projects in the country.
♒ As mining is Vietnam’s strength while Australia has moderntechnology, he wished to reinforce bilateral cooperation in this field to raisetwo-way trade./.
Vietnam and Australia have reached the targets set in the action plan for implementing the strategic partnership in the 2020 - 2023 period despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr Nguyen Hong Hai from the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland of Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 14 for Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski, during which he suggested the two sides coordinate together closely to well organise celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties this year, including thorough preparations for the exchange of delegations in the coming time.
The political and national defence-security relations between Vietnam and Australia have seen marked qualitative improvements over the past five years, a diplomat has said.
Vietnam - Australia cooperation relations in the past five years have grown strongly with the flexible implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and possibly see more opportunities in the coming time, said Professor Carl Thayer from the Australian Defence Force Academy, the University of New South Wales.
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.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
President Vo Van Thuong (R) and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski (Photo: VNA) 
