Auckland (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will sign theJoint Statement on establishing the Vietnam – Australia Strategic Partnership during the former's visit to Australia,creating the political and legal framework for the two countries' relations todevelop in the coming time.

The information was revealed by Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc in an interview he granted to the Fairfax Media on theoccasion of his official visit to Australia and his participation in the ASEAN-AustraliaSpecial Summit from March 14-18. He has freshly wrapped up his official visit to New Zealand.

The following is the full text of theinterview:

“Question: In 2015, both Vietnam and Australiahave mentioned the establishment of a Strategic Partnership. Could yourExcellency Prime Minister specify the time when this event takes place? Andwhat does this partnership mean for the two countries? Would Your ExcellencyPrime Minister share with us measures to promote diplomatic and defenserelations between the two countries?

This is the determination shared by both Vietnamand Australia. During my official visit to Australia this time, AustralianPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and I will sign the Joint Statement onestablishing the Vietnam – Australia Strategic Partnership, creating thepolitical and legal framework for the two countries' relations to develop inthe coming time.

The upgrading of the bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership is momentous,opening up a new chapter in our bilateral relations, elevating the relations tonew heights as well as adding depth and substance to the bilateral cooperationfor the benefits of our two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation anddevelopment in the region and the world. Especially, this event takes placewhen the two countries are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations and 20years of defense relations.

In order to bring the bilateral relations to the strategic level, the twocountries should continue to strengthen and expand cooperation in all areas.Regarding the political-diplomatic and defense-security cooperation pillars,the two countries will focus on the following:

First, continue to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding throughvisits and contacts through all channels and at all levels, especially thehigh-level. In this spirit, Vietnam welcomes the Australian Governor-General'svisit to Vietnam in May 2018 and considers this visit an important foreignaffairs event of 2018. At the same time, we will continue to review and promotethe effective implementation of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms,and on this basis, consider their upgrading or establishing new mechanisms formutual consultation on strategic bilateral, regional and international issues.

Second, coordinate closely at regional and international forums, especiallyASEAN, APEC, ASEM, the United Nations, among others; and work together toeffectively implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); and at the same time strengthen cooperationon issues related to regional security and issues of mutual concern such aspoverty reduction, disaster preparedness, diseases, climate change response,and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Third, on defense and security, the two sides should actively implement theconcluded agreements as well as effectively maintain the cooperationmechanisms; expand cooperation in areas of search and rescue,counter-terrorism, anti-human trafficking, cyber security and water security;at the same time, actively consult with and support each other in regionalcooperation mechanisms on national defense and security such as ADMM, ADMM ,ARF, among others. Vietnam highly appreciates Australia’s support and hopesthat Australia continues the exchange of experience, information sharing, andsupporting Vietnam in English language training, and training of peacekeepingforces, and war legacy remedies.

[Infographics: Vietnam – Australia ec൩onomic coop⛎eration thrives]

Question: Among ASEAN countries, Vietnam is becoming Australia's fastest-growingexport market. Would Your Excellency Prime Minister share your views on theopportunities for Australian businesses?

The economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Australia haveseen great strides. Australia has become Vietnam's seventh largest tradingpartner with a turnover of nearly US$ 6.5 billion in 2017. However, thereremains vast room for the bilateral cooperation as well as immenseopportunities for Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam.

First, Vietnam is a vibrantly growing economy with high growth rates in theregion. In 2017, Vietnam's economy expanded by 6.8 percent, which is thehighest rate in the last 10 years. Its geo-strategic location in the region,the political stability and market size of nearly 100 million consumers hasmade Vietnam an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Second, with the determination to accelerate economic reform and transform thegrowth model, the business and investment environment in Vietnam hassignificantly improved. Such economic indicators as the ease of doing business,and competitiveness earned 14 and 5 notches, respectively, thus creating anattractive, transparent and level playground for foreign enterprises.

Third, as an economy with high degree of openness, Vietnam has been integratingdeeply and comprehensively into the international arena. The country iscurrently implementing and negotiating 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs),including many new-generation FTAs, opening up new opportunities forcooperation between Vietnam and its partners, including Australia. The twocountries jointly implemented the ASEAN – Australia – New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA)and signed the CPTPP agreement, which would facilitate the flows of trade andinvestment between the two countries.

In this context, the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia StrategicPartnership will bring about new opportunities for businesses of bothcountries. With the advantage of capital, advanced technology and managerialexperience, Australian businesses can take advantage of this opportunity toexpand their business and investment in Vietnam in areas where Australia’sstrength match with Vietnam’s demands such as high technology, manufacturingand processing industries, environment-friendly energy, among others.

Question: Vietnam is among the economies that would significantly benefit fromTPP, but some of them would come from potential economic reforms implemented tosatisfy the high standards of the initial agreement. However, the US haswithdrawn from TPP, a fact that, generally speaking, has caused the newAgreement to have lower standards than that of TPP. Mr. Prime Minister, can youtell us whether Vietnam will continue to implement economic reform measures ornot?

Economic reforms are both Vietnam’s inherentneeds and policy, with or without TPP.

Despite the absence of the US, CPTPP remains a comprehensive and progressiveagreement of substance and quality, serving as a “model” of regional economiccooperation and integration amidst the rise of protectionism in places all overthe world. We see our participation in FTAs, including CPTPP, as the additionaldriving force for reforms. Therefore, in the upcoming times, we will bolstereconomic restructuring, perfect legal frameworks and policies, create a levelplaying-field as well as a favorable business environment as part of ourefforts to fully and strictly meet our commitments to trade facilitation andliberalization, and market access.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, on the occasion of the ASEAN-Australia SpecialSummit, can you give us an assessment on the potential for developing theASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership in the time to come?

After the upgrade to Strategic Partnership in 2014, ASEAN-Australia relationshave been strengthened across various areas, from politics-security,economics-trade-investment to culture-social affairs and developmentcooperation. However, there remains ground for further improvement and the bulkof ASEAN-Australia cooperation potential is not yet harnessed, particularly inthe following areas:

Firstly, ASEAN and Australia need to further affirm their strong commitment tomaintaining regional economic integration. Accordingly, the two sides need toeffectively implement the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement(AANZFTA), the first comprehensive framework with a high degree ofliberalization ever signed by ASEAN with its partners and from a broaderperspective, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), oncecompleted. 

Secondly, in the age of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, withinnovation-based economic development playing a vital role, the two sides needto step up cooperation in areas such as supporting start-ups, connectingmedium, small and micro-sized enterprises, and diversifying global and regionalvalue chains.

Thirdly, the two sides share their views on strategic issues, so as to promotecooperation, build trust and together bring about an open, transparent,inclusive regional architecture, which includes ASEAN-led cooperation forums. Amongthese, the ASEAN-Australia framework is important to promote efforts in thisdirection.

Fourthly, cooperation to respond to non-traditional challenges such asterrorism, radicalism, natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change is ofmutual interest to ASEAN and Australia. Both sides need to step up cooperationin these areas in order to bring about a peaceful and safe life to theirpeople.

I am convinced that on the foundation of the fruitful cooperation developedover 4 decades, we can continue to broaden and deepen the ASEAN-AustraliaStrategic Partnership in the upcoming times.”-VNA