Australian PM Morrisom said his nation places importance on pushing up the bilateral relationship, and hailed the tremendous achievements Vietnam has recorded in COVID-19 fight, as well as socio-economic development and foreign affairs over the past years.
PM Chinh, in turn, affirmed his willingness to closely coordinate with Morrison in developing the strategic partnership in an effective, intensive and pragmatic manner. He suggested Australia continue its technical support to Vietnam and further facilitate Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products' access to the Australian market. Chinh called on Australia to incentivize its businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, and funnel its official development assistance (ODA) into infrastructure projects, agricultural development, poverty reduction, climate change response and high-quality personnel training in the Southeast Asian nation. The Vietnamese cabinet leader said he hopes for stronger collaboration in military medicine and peace-keeping operations, and asked Australia continue to offer favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community and students in the country. He thanked Australia for pledging 40 million AUD (US$31.04 million) to support Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine procurement, pledging to boost closer cooperation with the Australian side to effectively realize the aid package. The PM urged Australia to help Vietnam access the AstraZeneca vaccine produced in the country as soon as possible. Both sides agreed to set higher targets in investment and trade links, towards sustainable recovery after the pandemic, soon complete and sign the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, forge collaboration in science and technology, and effectively implement the Vietnam-Australia Innovation Partnership for 2022-2025. The two countries will also bolster their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms and forums. Hailing Australia’s active role in ASEAN and Mekong Sub-region mechanisms, Chinh suggested the country implement tripartite cooperation with Laos and Cambodia, focusing on practical sectors that would improve socio-economic situation and personnel training. On the East Sea issue, the pair underscored the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and effectively and fully realise the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards reaching a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).