Fifth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Hanoi
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his visiting Australian counterpart Penny Wong on August 22 co-chaired the fifth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes his visiting Australian counterpart Penny Wong (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his visiting Australiancounterpart Penny Wong on August 22 co-chaired the fifth Vietnam-AustraliaForeign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi.
The two ministers focused discussions on the implementationof the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership, as well as regional andinternational issues of mutual concern, and cooperation contents between theirministries.
They expressed their delight at the strong and steady developmentof the relations between the two countries. Political ties are consolidated with increasingtrust, and security and defence cooperation is more effective, especially inthe field of United Nations peacekeeping.
Two-way trade hit nearly 16 billion USD last year, helpingVietnam become Australia’s 10th biggest trade partner, and AustraliaVietnam’s seventh largest trader. New areas of cooperation such as climatechange response and energy transition are being promoted, including a supportpackage of 105 million AUD (67.6 million USD) for Vietnam to buildinfrastructure to respond to climate change and develop clean energy.
The two FMs highly valued their ministries’ close coordinationand cooperation, especially in serving high-level contacts and delegationexchanges, and agreed to maintain coordination in holding activities incelebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment ofdiplomatic ties this year.
Exchanging views on regional and international situations,they agreed to strengthen cooperation and continue contributions to maintainingpeace, stability and cooperation in the region.
Wong affirmed that Australia values cooperation and supportsthe central role of ASEAN, and agrees to continue promoting collaboration forthe sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two officials affirmed theimportance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigationand aviation; and respecting international law, including the 1982 UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They vowed to continue backing each country'scandidates at regional and international organisations and forums, especiallyat the UN./.
The official three-day visit, starting on August 21, to Vietnam by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, to co-chair the 5th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the two countries, shows that the Oceania nation attaches importance to the strategic partnership with the Southeast Asian country, Nguyen Hong Hai, Senior Lecturer from VinUniversity, has said.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong took a stroll around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in Hanoi on the morning of August 22 and enjoyed a cup of renowned Vietnamese egg coffee along Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
Visiting Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on August 22 announced her country’s new 94.5 million AUD support package for climate change adaption in Vietnam's Mekong Delta from 2023 to 2034.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes his visiting Australian counterpart Penny Wong (Photo: VNA) 
