Print article

VN, Australia enhance legislative cooperation

VGP – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on July 23 held talks with Speaker of Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith on the occasion of the latter’s official visit to Viet Nam from July 23-25.

July 24, 2018 9:55 AM GMT+7

 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan holds talks with Speaker of Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith, Ha Noi, July 23, 2018 - Photo: VNA

At the talks, the two legislators asserted that the two nations’ political trusts have been strengthened, especially through high –ranking delegation exchanges. 

Ms. Ngan welcomed the Australian leader’s official visit to Viet Nam, expecting that the visit will consolidate and develop the Strategic Partnership between the two sides on the context of the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties. 

Regarding the economic, trade and investment cooperation, Australia has been listed among Viet Nam’s top partners with the annual bilateral trade growth of 7%, reaching nearly US$6.5 billion in 2017 and US$3.62 billion in the first half of 2018. 

Australia has poured US$1.8 billion in 416 projects in Viet Nam, ranking 20th among 126 nations and territories investing in the country. 

The host said that Viet Nam advocates Australia's enhancement of investment in Viet Nam in areas of high demand such as energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, finance-banking, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, education and tourism. 

She hailed Australia’s Official Development Assistance for Viet Nam, especially the inauguration of Cao Lanh Bridge on May 27, which has manifested Australia’s effective assistance for local socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam. 

Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese legislator asked Australia to continue assisting Viet Nam in infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, poverty reduction, climate change combat, and human resource development.

In term of defense and security, the leaders said bilateral cooperation in this area is becoming more and more substantive, trustworthy, and stable, especially in terms of coordination in participating in the United Nations peacekeeping mission, fighting terrorism and trans-national crimes, and training English.

Chairwoman Ngan welcomed Australian to make navy visits and strengthen the capacity of Vietnamese marine law enforcement forces, suggesting Australia further help Viet Nam address the consequences of unexploded ordnances (UXO) and provide information about missing Vietnamese soldiers, as agreed in a memorandum of understanding inked in 2015.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders back and consent the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the region, addressing disputes through peaceful measures based on the international regulations. 

Ms. Ngan proposed the two countries’ legislative bodies accelerate delegation exchanges and meetings and experience in legislation as well as support the two Governments to effectively launch commitments in the Action Plan in the 2016-2019 phase and reached agreements and documents. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith, Ha Noi, July 23, 2018 - Photo: VNA

The same day, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese Party leader asserted that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the friendship and strategic partnership with Australia.

He expressed thanks to the Australian Government for their backing in Viet Nam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, as well as Australia’s coordination and support for Viet Nam’s role in the ASEAN and the region.

Viet Nam highly values Australia’s consistent stance on the East Sea issue, he said, urging the two sides to continue their close cooperation at multilateral forums, for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and the East Sea.

For his part, Mr. Smith affirmed that Australia’s consistent stance on the East Sea issue is clear and matches the stance and viewpoint of Viet Nam.

By Thuy Dung