Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh on November 9 hosted a reception for visiting Australian Minister ofForeign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to maintain and promote theexchange of delegations and all-level meetings, implement existingcooperation mechanisms in a flexible manner and effectively carry out theVietnam-Australia action plan for 2020-2023, and the Vietnam - AustraliaEnhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) so as to soon double the two-way trade, towardsbecoming one of the 10 trading partners of each other.

PM Chinh used the occasion to thank the Australian Governmentfor its commitment of 5.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and medical suppliesto Vietnam, noting his hope that Australia will continue to support Vietnam in COVID-19prevention and control, and socio-economic development.

He spoke highly of the thriving relations betweenVietnam and Australia, especially the two-way trade that hit 9.1 billion USD inthe first nine months of this year, up more than 50 percent year-on-year despitethe pandemic.
 
The leader appreciated Australia's continuing to provide official development assistance (ODA) at the high level for Vietnam, reaching 78.9million AUD in the 2021-2022 financial year.

Highlighting the outcomes of the third Vietnam-Australia ForeignMinisters’ Meeting, Chinh said it demonstrates the two countries’ resolve to boostthe strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese Government leader suggested Australia consider opening its market for anumber of Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products, and implementing an agriculture visascheme for Vietnamese labourers.

The PM also appealed to Australia to create favourableconditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, extend visa for Vietnamese citizensstranded in the country due to COVID-19, and resume the reception and scholarships for Vietnamesestudents.

Vietnam and Australia should further support eachother and support the ASEAN-Australia relations in issuesregarding peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world,including Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue.

For her part, Minister Payne affirmed that Australia considersVietnam a priority in various matters, including infrastructure development, agriculture, povertyreduction and climate change.

She supported PM Chinh’s proposals, saying Australiahighly values Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue and completely backsthe peaceful settlement of international disputes based on principles of internationallaw, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982UNCLOS).

The minister expressed her belief that Vietnam willgradually complete the target of adapting to and living safely with COVID-19.

She announced that Australia will provide another 2.6 million doses ofCOVID-19 vaccines for Vietnam, raising its total donations to more than 7.8 milliondoses to the Southeast Asian nation./.