Dong Thap (VNA) – The Australian Government considers Vietnam one of itskey partners in the Asia-Pacific region, Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has said.

Bishop made the remark at her meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dungon May 27 before attending a ceremony to inaugurate the Cao Lanh bridge inthe southern province of Dong Thap.

She spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in promoting socio-economicdevelopment, expanding foreign relations and boosting international integration.

She emphasised the importance of the upgrading of bilateral ties to a StrategicPartnership, affirming that Australia will closely work with Vietnam to realisethe contents agreed in the “Joint Statement on the Establishment of the Vietnam-Australia StrategicPartnership” and fulfill objectives set in the Vietnam-Australia Plan of Action 2016-2019.

Deputy PM Dung suggested the Foreign Ministries of the two nations hastenrelevant ministries and agencies to implement cooperation plans to develop thenewly established Strategic Partnership strongly and effectively in the comingtime.

He applauded the ministries’ plan to organise the first ministerial-levelmeeting on the occasion, which will kick off a series of newly-formed cooperationmechanisms and frameworks between the two countries.

[Aওustralian FM talks about Vietnam-Au𒐪stralia relationship ahead of visit]

He also valued Australia continuing to give officialdevelopment assistance (ODA) priority to Vietnam in the 2018-2019 fiscal year,confirming that Australia’s ODA will be used effectively and practically forthe country’s socio-economic development.

He proposed Australia continue assisting Vietnam in the fields of infrastructure,agricultural and rural development, climate change adaptation, and humanresources development.

Regarding bilateral collaboration at regional and international forums, the twosides appreciated the fine coordination between Vietnam and Australia at theforums, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the EastAsia Summit (EAS), the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting(ASEM), and the United Nations.

Minister Julie Bishop affirmed that Australia continuesits current positive and consistent stance on the East Sea issue and stressedthe importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, addressingdisputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

She reiterated her country’s support for Vietnam in its bid to become anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, saying thatAustralia is willing to share its experience in assuming this position for the2013-2014 tenure.

Deputy PM Dung informed his guest that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent aninvitation to his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull to visit Vietnam and attend the World EconomicForum on ASEAN in September this year. He added that Vietnam attaches importanceto this meeting and wishes to welcome the Australian PM at the event.-VNA