Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr has granted an interview tothe Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
Theminister noted that Australia has built a wide-ranging partnership withthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam (called the Democratic Republic ofVietnam in 1973) over the past 40 years. From humble beginnings, two-waytrade relations now exceed 6 billion USD a year including wheat,resources, telecommunications and household goods.
TheVietnamese community in Australia is more than 200,000 strong, helpingdeliver a greater understanding of Vietnam’s history and culture in anAustralian context. Vietnam is also a popular tourist destination forAustralians travelling overseas.
He underlined a fact thatAustralia is a leading study destination for Vietnamese students with20,000 students studying in Australia and a further 16,000 studyingAustralian programmes at universities and colleges in Vietnam.
“The40th anniversary is an important milestone in diplomatic relationsbetween Australia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, the ministersaid, adding that to mark this special year, Australia’s Embassy inHanoi and consulate in Ho Chi Minh City will celebrate with an excitingprogramme of cultural and education events.
He affirmedthat Vietnam is an important regional friend and partner and he welcomesthe opportunity to celebrate this anniversary.
MinisterCarr went on to say that the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnershipin 2009 marked a significant development in the bilateral relationship.It aimed to strengthen cooperation in political exchanges, developmentassistance, defence and security. It also promoted economic growth andhighlighted the importance of working together to tackle regional andglobal challenges.
“The Comprehensive Partnership continuesto deliver great rewards,” the minister said, citing as an example theAustralia Awards programme which provides scholarships encouragingleadership, knowledge and technical skills. “The programme strengthenspublic institutions and promotes links between Australia and Vietnam.Australia is now the largest scholarship provider to Vietnam - we areset to meet the target of 1,380 Australia Awards Scholarships for postgraduate training by 2015 under the Australia-Vietnam Joint Aid ProgramStrategy 2010-2015,” he said.
According to Carr, the twocountries are reaping the benefits of the foresight their governmentsshowed 40 years ago in forging diplomatic ties.
He said,“We cooperate with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on education,development assistance, trade, border security, defence and counteringtransnational crime.
“We have an established history ofbilateral human rights cooperation, which we value, including ninerounds of the Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue since 2002.”
Theforeign minister noted that, however, there is much the two countriescan do to further develop the relationship. This is recognised in theAustralia in the Asian Century White Paper released by the AustralianPrime Minister in October 2012.
He said in this milestoneyear, Vietnam is the Australia International Cultural Council’s (AICC)focus country for 2013. This programme will showcase Australia’screativity and diversity and creates a platform for futurecollaboration. This is in line with the White Paper’s objectives tobuild stronger cultural links with the region.
Australiaand Vietnam are working together to create a better trade environment,Carr said, noting that both countries are parties to theASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) andnegotiating partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free TradeAgreement (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Heaffirmed that Australia will also continue to support Vietnam’snational development goals. “Following our funding of the My Thuanbridge - completed in 2000 - we have committed to our biggest aidproject in Vietnam, with 160 million USD for design and construction ofthe Cao Lanh bridge. This bridge will link five million people tomarkets across the Mekong Delta. We will continue to supportcollaborative research in agriculture, forestry and fisheries for 20years, helping improve food quality and incomes for millions ofVietnamese people,” Carr said.
He also said in lawenforcement, Australia and Vietnam have a strong record of workingtogether to improve their ability to respond to transnational challengessuch as transnational crime, narcotics and people smuggling. Thiscooperation is exemplified by the Joint Transnational Crime Centreestablished in Ho Chi Minh City by the Vietnamese Police with supportfrom the Australian Federal Police.
“These shared interestsare reasons for celebration today,” the foreign minister said, addingthat he looks forward to the next 40 years of strong and prosperousrelations between the people and governments of Australia and Vietnam.-VNA
Theminister noted that Australia has built a wide-ranging partnership withthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam (called the Democratic Republic ofVietnam in 1973) over the past 40 years. From humble beginnings, two-waytrade relations now exceed 6 billion USD a year including wheat,resources, telecommunications and household goods.
TheVietnamese community in Australia is more than 200,000 strong, helpingdeliver a greater understanding of Vietnam’s history and culture in anAustralian context. Vietnam is also a popular tourist destination forAustralians travelling overseas.
He underlined a fact thatAustralia is a leading study destination for Vietnamese students with20,000 students studying in Australia and a further 16,000 studyingAustralian programmes at universities and colleges in Vietnam.
“The40th anniversary is an important milestone in diplomatic relationsbetween Australia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, the ministersaid, adding that to mark this special year, Australia’s Embassy inHanoi and consulate in Ho Chi Minh City will celebrate with an excitingprogramme of cultural and education events.
He affirmedthat Vietnam is an important regional friend and partner and he welcomesthe opportunity to celebrate this anniversary.
MinisterCarr went on to say that the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnershipin 2009 marked a significant development in the bilateral relationship.It aimed to strengthen cooperation in political exchanges, developmentassistance, defence and security. It also promoted economic growth andhighlighted the importance of working together to tackle regional andglobal challenges.
“The Comprehensive Partnership continuesto deliver great rewards,” the minister said, citing as an example theAustralia Awards programme which provides scholarships encouragingleadership, knowledge and technical skills. “The programme strengthenspublic institutions and promotes links between Australia and Vietnam.Australia is now the largest scholarship provider to Vietnam - we areset to meet the target of 1,380 Australia Awards Scholarships for postgraduate training by 2015 under the Australia-Vietnam Joint Aid ProgramStrategy 2010-2015,” he said.
According to Carr, the twocountries are reaping the benefits of the foresight their governmentsshowed 40 years ago in forging diplomatic ties.
He said,“We cooperate with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on education,development assistance, trade, border security, defence and counteringtransnational crime.
“We have an established history ofbilateral human rights cooperation, which we value, including ninerounds of the Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue since 2002.”
Theforeign minister noted that, however, there is much the two countriescan do to further develop the relationship. This is recognised in theAustralia in the Asian Century White Paper released by the AustralianPrime Minister in October 2012.
He said in this milestoneyear, Vietnam is the Australia International Cultural Council’s (AICC)focus country for 2013. This programme will showcase Australia’screativity and diversity and creates a platform for futurecollaboration. This is in line with the White Paper’s objectives tobuild stronger cultural links with the region.
Australiaand Vietnam are working together to create a better trade environment,Carr said, noting that both countries are parties to theASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) andnegotiating partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free TradeAgreement (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Heaffirmed that Australia will also continue to support Vietnam’snational development goals. “Following our funding of the My Thuanbridge - completed in 2000 - we have committed to our biggest aidproject in Vietnam, with 160 million USD for design and construction ofthe Cao Lanh bridge. This bridge will link five million people tomarkets across the Mekong Delta. We will continue to supportcollaborative research in agriculture, forestry and fisheries for 20years, helping improve food quality and incomes for millions ofVietnamese people,” Carr said.
He also said in lawenforcement, Australia and Vietnam have a strong record of workingtogether to improve their ability to respond to transnational challengessuch as transnational crime, narcotics and people smuggling. Thiscooperation is exemplified by the Joint Transnational Crime Centreestablished in Ho Chi Minh City by the Vietnamese Police with supportfrom the Australian Federal Police.
“These shared interestsare reasons for celebration today,” the foreign minister said, addingthat he looks forward to the next 40 years of strong and prosperousrelations between the people and governments of Australia and Vietnam.-VNA
