Da Nang (VNA) – Vietnam andAustralia have agreed to soon upgrade their relationship to a strategicpartnership on the basis of their enhanced comprehensive partnership and hugepotential for cooperation. 

The consensus was reached during the talks between Vietnam’s Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull within theframework of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the central city of Da Nang onNovember 10.

The PMs assigned the foreign ministries of Vietnam and Australia to continueworking on the plan so that the two countries’ leaders can sign a document onthe strategic partnership as soon as possible.

They expressed their delight at the two-way trade turnover which jumped from32.3 million USD in 1990 to 5.2 billion USD in 2016, making Australia Vietnam’sseventh largest trade partner.

The leaders also commented on strides made in cooperation in nationaldefence-security, education-training, labour, tourism and people-to-peopleexchange.

PM Phuc called on Australia to expand its investment and business activities insuch areas as manufacturing, energy, mining, infrastructure, high-tech and foodprocessing, while creating the best possible conditions for Vietnameseinvestors in the country.
Heused the occasion to appeal to Australia to continue its provision of officialdevelopment assistance (ODA) and scholarships to Vietnam.

Host and guest also compared notes on regional and international issues ofshared concern, and agreed to continue the close coordination between the twocountries at multi-lateral forums, especially those led by the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in order to promote dialogues and cooperation,and maintain peace, stability and order in the region in line with law.

Regarding the East Sea, they stressed the importance of protecting peace,stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the region,settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law,including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), strictlyimplementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)and soon reaching a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The same day, PM Phuc met with representatives of leading Australian businessesspecialising in health care, production, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas,aviation and high-quality agricultural product processing. The Australianbusinesspeople are in Da Nang to attend the APEC CEO Summit 2017.

He applauded the role played by the firms in strengthening economic, trade andinvestment links between Vietnam and Australia.

The Vietnamese Government creates optimal conditions for foreign businesses tooperate in Vietnam in accordance with local laws and global standards andregulations, the leader affirmed.

He said Vietnamese and Australian leaders are resolved to raise the bilateraltrade value to 10 billion USD in the time ahead, calling on Australian enterprisesto seek more long-term investment opportunities in Vietnam. - VNA