On the afternoon of December 27, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski as the Ambassador concluded his term in Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski. Photo: VGP
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At the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed Vietnam’s desire to further strengthen cooperation and learn from Australia’s development experience. To deepen the bilateral relationship, he proposed maintaining high-level visits and contacts, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and enhancing cooperation in tourism, education, and expanding the presence of RMIT University in Vietnam. The Prime Minister also suggested that Australia provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students.
To further enhance the partnership, Prime Minister Chinh recommended intensifying cooperation in training and exchanges, cybersecurity, peacekeeping operations, and addressing wartime legacies. He emphasized the importance of putting the past behind, overcoming differences, and focusing on shared goals to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Additionally, the Prime Minister suggested improving market access for each other’s products, refraining from trade barriers, and promoting stronger investment from Australia into Vietnam. With Vietnam being one of the largest sources of international students in Australia, the Prime Minister requested that Australia continue to facilitate the entry, study, and work of Vietnamese citizens, students, and workers in Australia.
Ambassador Goledzinowski characterized the bilateral relationship as developing rapidly, saying that “one year is equal to ten years.” He praised Vietnam’s successful management of its foreign relations and expressed Australia’s desire to become Vietnam’s top partner in various fields, including agriculture, technology, green energy transition, rare minerals, and enhanced security and defense cooperation.
The Ambassador expressed Australia’s confidence in Vietnam’s leadership to realize the country’s development potential. He believed that Vietnam would enter a new era and become the new tiger of Asia.
Vietnam and Australia have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Two-way trade reached US$13.8 billion in 2023 and US$13 billion by November 2024, a 2.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Australia has 660 investment projects in Vietnam, totaling US$2.05 billion, ranking 21st out of 149 countries and territories investing in the country, as of August 31, 2024.
Tung Phong
– 20:43, December 27, 2024
