Viet Nam thanks Australia for commitment to provide 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) receives Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, Ha Noi, July 13, 2021 - Photo: VGP

At a reception for Australian Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Dan Tehan this morning, Pham expects both countries will continue close cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

Regarding bilateral ties, Pham expressed his pleasure at the positive development of the Viet Nam-Australia strategic partnership, especially the two-way trade grew by over 40 percent in the first five months this year despite challenges posed by COVID-19.

He suggested both countries effectively exploit cooperation potential and trade deals such as ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, soon sign an enhanced economic engagement strategy in a bid to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Pham also asked the Australian side to further opens its market for Vietnamese farm produce, including fresh whole shrimp and passion fruit.

He took the occasion to thank Australia for supporting Viet Nam to fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2020-2021 tenure, saying Viet Nam expects to foster cooperation with Australia at such multilateral forums as ASEAN and Mekong Subregion.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues of shared interest, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation as well as settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Viet Nam is the second leg of Minister Tehan’s five-nation visit to Singapore, Viet Nam, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the U.S. with an aim to strengthen Australia’s trading relationships and promote investment in Australia./.

By Thuy Dung