VN, Australia relations soon to become Strategic Partnership

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) meets Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull, Da Nang City, November 10, 2017 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

At the talks, the leaders hailed the strong development in the two nations' relations after signing the Declaration on Enhancing the Australia-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership in 2015. 

They highlighted the sharp increase in the two-way trade turnover from US$32.3 million in 1990 to US$5.2 billion in 2016, making Australia the seventh largest trade partner of Viet Nam. 

PM Phuc suggested Australia seek investment and business opportunities in Viet Nam in fields of manufacturing, energy, mining, infrastructure, high-tech, food processing, while facilitating  Vietnamese businesses' investment in Australia. 

The Vietnamese leader proposed Australia continue its Official Development Assistance and  scholarship provision for Viet Nam. 

The two sides discussed and shared viewpoints on international and regional issues of mutual concerns, agreeing to closely cooperate at multi-lateral forums, especially ones led by ASEAN to promote dialogue and cooperation trends and maintain peace, stability and order in the region. 

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders shared the importance of maintaining aeronautical and maritime peace, stability, security, safety and order in the region, addressing disputes with peaceful measures based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, strictly implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reaching the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with leaders from top Australian corporations operating in health, production, manufacturing, petrol and agricultural processing. 

The PM asserted the determination to raise the two-way trade turnover to US$10 billion in the coming time. 

By Thuy Dung