Hanoi (VNA)⛄ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has laudedVietnam visit by Marise Payne following her reappointment as Minister forForeign Affairs cum Minister for Women of Australia, saying that it proves the Australiangovernment’s appreciation for Vietnam and substantial ties between the twonations.

During talksin Hanoi on June 12 with the Australian Minister, Deputy PM Minh thanked thePacific country for maintaining the supply of development assistance to Vietnam,saying that it has been used effectively, contributing to Vietnam’ssocio-economic development. Payne, forher part, affirmed that Australia considers Vietnam one of its key partners inSoutheast Asia and wants to further propel bilateral ties, both withinbilateral and multilateral frameworks. Both sidesagreed to facilitate high-level visits in the near future, effectively uphold19 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially annual meetings between the twodefence and foreign ministers, and soon hold the first ministerial-levelEconomic Partnership Meeting this year. They vowedto enhance coordination in maritime security, fight against trans-national anddrug crimes; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Highlightingthe importance of trade liberalisation and the role of multilateral tradesystem, especially amid rising protectionism and trade conflict, they promisedto tap each side’s potential and strengths to further deepen bilateral economiclinks along with effectively tapping multilateral trade agreements to which thetwo nations are members, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreementfor Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Minh askedAustralia to step up safety approval and open the market for several Vietnamesefarm produce and aquatic products, especially longans and shrimps. Host andguest pledged to boost links in other important fields such aseducation-training, labour, innovation, smart agriculture, and people-to-peopleexchange. On regionaland global issues of shared concern, Payne congratulated Vietnam on winning anon-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the2020-2021 tenure with high approval votes. Australiahighly values Vietnam’s role in the region and ASEAN, strongly supports thebloc’s central role in evolving regional architecture, she said, firmlybelieving that Vietnam will successfully fulfill its tasks in the UNSC as wellas in its position as ASEAN Chair 2020. Theyhighlighted the significance of ensuring peace, stability, security, maritimeand aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea as well as the settlement ofdisputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea, full implementation of the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the East Sea and early formulation of a practical,effective and comprehensive Code of Conduct in the East Sea. On theoccasion, the two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding between thetwo foreign ministries on improving women empowerment in external affairs amidglobal integration and digital era. They alsowitnessed the presentation of the Vietnamese State’s Friendship Order to theAustralian Centre for International Agricultural Research in recognition of itsactive contributions to Vietnam’s agriculture and rural development.-VNA