Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VGP)

In an interview with Fairfax Media during his official visit to Australia to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which begins Wednesday, Mr. Phuc said the joint statement will create the political and legal framework to elevate the two countries' relations to new heights, benefiting the two peoples, and contributing to global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

In order to bring bilateral relations to the strategic level, Mr. Phuc called on the two countries to continue to expand cooperation in all areas.

He noted that Strategic Partnership will bring about new opportunities for the two business communities. Australian businesses can expand their business and investment in Vietnam in areas where Australia’s strength match with Vietnam’s demands, such as high technology, manufacturing and processing industries, and environment-friendly energy.

Prime Minister Phuc said the ASEAN-Australia cooperation potential remains huge, so the two sides need a strong commitment to regional economic integration. In the current Industrial Revolution 4.0, the two sides need to step up cooperation in supporting start-ups, connecting medium, small and micro-sized enterprises, and diversifying global and regional value chains. Mr. Phuc underscored the importance of building trust and together bringing about an open, transparent, and inclusive regional architecture.  He said he believes that on the foundation that fruitful cooperation  has been developed over 4 decades, Vietnam and Australia will continue to broaden and deepen the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership.