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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During 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 expansion of RMIT University in Vietnam. The Prime Minister also suggested that Australia provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students.
Prime Minister Chinh emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in training, exchanges, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, and resolving wartime legacies. He proposed that both sides work together in a spirit of putting the past behind, overcoming differences, emphasizing similarities, and looking toward the future, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Additionally, the Prime Minister suggested further improving market access for each other’s products, refraining from imposing trade barriers, and promoting stronger investment from Australian investors in Vietnam.
Noting that Vietnam is currently one of the largest source countries of international students in Australia, the Prime Minister requested that the Australian side continue to facilitate the entry, study, and work of Vietnamese citizens, students, and workers in Australia.
Ambassador Goledzinowski assessed that the bilateral relationship has been developing rapidly, with the pace of “one year equals ten years.” He praised Vietnam’s successful management of its foreign relations and stated that Australia wants to be Vietnam’s number one 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 will enter a new era and become the new tiger of Asia.
Vietnam and Australia have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Two-way trade in 2023 reached 13.8 billion USD, and by November 2024, it had already reached 13 billion USD, an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period in 2023. Australia has chosen Vietnam as one of the priority countries for its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy until 2040, focusing on investment promotion. As of August 31, 2024, Australia had 660 investment projects in Vietnam, with a total capital of 2.05 billion USD, ranking 21st out of 149 countries and territories investing in the country.
Tung Phong
– 20:43, December 27, 2024
