Monday, October 13, 2008

Vietnam, Australia promote friendship and cooperation

Both government leaders affirmed their great determination to build a roadmap for comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Australia for the benefit of people from both countries and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
A Vietnamese Government delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Canberra on October 13, beginning an official visit to Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

A State-level welcoming ceremony for PM Dung was held in front of the Australian Parliament House by the Australian PM Kevin Rudd.

The Australian PM appreciated PM Dung’s first visit to Australia which took place at a time when both countries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of full economic relations.

The ruling Australian Labour Party Government wants to follow the fine tradition of the Labour Party’s previous governments in order to maintain and develop friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Australia.

Immediately after the welcome ceremony, talks were held between the two government leaders who expressed their delight at the rapid development of bilateral friendship and cooperation over recent years, particularly in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, development aid, tourism, education, training, culture, national defense and security. Such cooperation has brought practical benefits to both sides, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Australia is the seventh largest trade partner and the third largest export market for Vietnam. Last year’s two-way trade turnover reached more than US$7 billion and is expected to jump to more than US$8 billion this year.

To date, Australia has received nearly 10,000 Vietnamese students.
At a press briefing after the talks, the two government leaders affirmed their great determination to build a roadmap for comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Australia for the benefit of people from both countries and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in the traditional areas of economics, trade, investment, education and training, tourism and culture while expanding cooperation in such potential areas as labour, construction, transport, security, national defense, information, agriculture, health care, science and technology.

Australia consented to increase its cooperation with Vietnam in official development assistance (ODA) funding and fund a project to build the Cao Lanh Bridge in southern Dong Thap Province. The project is of great significance for Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

Australia also pledged to finalise internal procedures geared toward the early recognition of Vietnam’s full market-economy status and increase scholarship aid for tertiary education.

PM Dung thanked the Australian Government for creating positive conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate and contribute to the development of their country of residence while serving as a bridge to the promotion of the fine relationship between the two countries.

PM Kevin Rudd accepted with great pleasure Mr Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam in the near future.

Also at the talks, host and guest compared notes on international and regional issues of common concern and agreed to closely cooperate at regional, international and UN forums.

After the talks, they witnesses the signing of an agreement on transferring convicts between the two Governments and the granting of a permit on setting up a wholly foreign-invested bank in Vietnam for ANZ Bank.

This is the third bank of its kind which has been licensed to operate in Vietnam.
Later in afternoon (Vietnam time), PM Kevin Rudd gave a banquet in honour of PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his delegation.

The same day, PM Dung met with opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins, President of the Senate John Hogg and Governor General Quentin Bryce.
On the occasion, Mr Dung also visited the Australian National University and met with staff from the Vietnamese Embassy, overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese students in Australia.
(Source: VOV)

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