Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam-Australia cooperation is witnessing an increasinglystrong development  and the enhancementof relations is one of the focuses of both sides, said  Australian Ambassador to Vietnam CraigChittick.

During a recent interview granted to Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of avisit by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove, the Ambassador affirmed the upgrade of the bilateral relations to a strategicpartnership reflects the long-term cooperation between the two nations.

Herecalled that when the two countries began establishing their diplomaticrelations in 1973, the Australian government immediately embarked on fosteringthe bilateral ties.

Collaborativeactivities between the two sides began in 1974, and many important decisionsand noteworthy milestones have made by the two sides to promote theirrelationship over the last 20-25 years.

The formation of the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research(ACIR) in Vietnam was the initial step in Australia-Vietnam cooperation.

Thetwo sides began a defence cooperation programme 20 years ago, and 2019 will markthe 20th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Australia lawenforcement cooperation.

TheAustralian Government is very proud of its provision of official development assistance(ODA) capital to Vietnam for a long time, the Ambassador stressed, noting thatit is necessary to change the design and content of the ODA programme forVietnam to help the country effectively deal with socio-economic challenges at presentand in the future.

According to the diplomat, the construction of My Thuan and Cao Lanh bridges inthe Mekong Delta region with Australia’s funding marked a transitional phasefor Vietnam in seeking financial assistance for infrastructure development.

Afterthose two projects, the Australian Government will provide support for Vietnamin building capacity, and creating dialogue mechanisms, towards accessing capitalsources in the private sectors, he added.

Thetwo countries have also cooperated in maritime security for a long time. Thisis an important part of the two countries' security cooperation, the Ambassadorsaid, affirming that the field will be further expanded in the future.

Heemphasized that trade ties between Vietnam and Australia is also a highlight ofthe bilateral relations, with crucial milestones over the last decade.

Both countries are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In March2018, Vietnam and Australia, along with nine other countries, signed the CPTPP,affirming their increasing integration into the global trade network.

Vietnamis now the seventh largest trade partner of Australia.

Ambassador Craig Chitticksaid 2018 would be the best year for Vietnam and Australia to make theireconomic, trade and security cooperation stronger.
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove and hisspouse will pay a State visit to Vietnam from May 23-26 at the invitation ofPresident Tran Dai Quang.

The visit takes place at a time when the twocountries are celebrating the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties(February 26).-VNA