(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Sunday concluded his trip to Australia for an official visit and to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Australia. During Prime Minister Phuc’s visit, the two countries elevated their relation to a Strategic Partnership and signed a number of cooperative agreements.
 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull |
More than 43 events were held in Canberra and Sydney during Mr. Phuc’s visit, including celebrations of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the signing of nearly 30 cooperative agreements.
Impressive milestones in PM Phuc’s visit
Prime Minister Phuc held talks with PM Turnbull and met Australia’s Governor General, Speakers of both Houses, and President of the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Society. Australian leaders expressed their respect for ties with Vietnam and agreed to create the best conditions for economic cooperation.
In Sydney, New South Wales capital and Australia’s financial hub, Mr. Phuc met the local governor and attended an investment promotion event. At the Vietnam-Australia Business Forum which drew more than 400 Vietnamese and Australian business leaders, Prime Minister Phuc said the Vietnam-Australia Joint Statement on establishing a Strategic Partnership opened a new chapter of cooperation: “The two Prime Ministers announced that Vietnam and Australia are now strategic partners. The new CPTPP agreement to which Vietnam and Australia are signatories has created a new chapter of bilateral cooperation. These are important conditions for the two sides to increase investment in the near future.”
The Prime Minister said Vietnam’s investment environment is improving quickly and its reforms have created new opportunities for Australian investors. He urged enterprises on Australia’s top 500 list to invest in Vietnam: “I’m very happy that 18 cooperative agreements were signed at the forum and that Vietjet has opened a direct route to Australia. Now Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Vietjet all have direct flights to Australia, which will encourage bilateral trade and investment.”
During the visit, Prime Minister Phuc and Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove co-chaired a commemoration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. At the event, Mr. Cosgrove said Australia is proud of having a friend like Vietnam.
Two major priorities of ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership
While in Australia, Mr. Phuc attended the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which focused on strengthening regional security and prosperity. The forum was an opportunity for ASEAN and Australian leaders to discuss their strategic partnership which was established in 2014. The event reflected Australia’s strong determination to boost ties with ASEAN.
In his speech, Prime Minister Phuc outlined major orientations for the ASEAN-Australia strategic partnership: strengthening economic cooperation and ensuring peace and security in the region. As one of 4 ASEAN leaders invited to deliver a keynote speech at a retreat on maritime cooperation, Mr. Phuc stressed the importance of making sea areas like the East Sea regions of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight and building trust based on the rule of law.
Prime Minister Phuc’s trip to Australia ushered in a new era of bilateral ties, showed Vietnam’s respect for boosting the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership, and contributed to cooperation between ASEAN and Australia.