HCMC – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, have jointly announced the upgrade of their countries’ relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The announcement was made on March 7 during PM Chinh’s visit to Australia, signifying a significant milestone in bilateral ties established 50 years ago.
PM Albanese highlighted the importance of the visit, emphasizing its historic significance in strengthening ties between the two nations. Both leaders pledged to work closely to enhance cooperation across various sectors.
According to the joint statement, Vietnam and Australia will intensify high-level exchanges and maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms, while effectively implementing previously signed agreements and devising an action program for the 2024-2028 period.
Both countries are committed to facilitating trade in agricultural products to diversify supply chains. PM Chinh expressed hope for a favorable business environment for Vietnamese firms in Australia and welcomed Australian investments in high-tech projects.
The two nations aim to deepen cooperation in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition. Australia has pledged to transfer technology to small and medium-sized Vietnamese enterprises and encourage collaboration between its technology companies and innovation centers, software parks and semi-conductor manufacturing centers in Vietnam.
In the fields of culture, education, training, and environmental protection, the two sides agreed to enhance cultural exchanges, vocational training cooperation, and provide more scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in Australia. They also agreed to establish branches of top Australian universities in Vietnam.
Cooperation in combating cross-border crime, information sharing, and database building will be a priority of the two countries.
The leaders witnessed the signing of 11 cooperation agreements in various sectors, including education and training, peace conservation, consumer protection, trade promotion and investment, science and technology, innovation, finance and banking, science research for development of agro-forestry-fishery, labor, natural resources, energies and minerals.
