VN, Australia vow to deepen comprehensive ties

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng (R) welcomes Australian counterpart Julia Gillard, Hà Nội, October 31, 2010 – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

Ms. Julia Gillard is on her visit to Việt Nam to attend the first ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 5^th East Asia Summit in Hà Nội.

During their meeting on Sunday, the two PMs noted that the bilateral ties have undergone fine developments and stressed the need to translate the Việt Nam-Australia Action Program for 2010-2013 into specific projects.

They were convinced to maintain the regular exchanges of high-ranking visits and speed up cooperation in economy, trade, investment, national defense, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both the host and the guest agreed that peace, stability, and free maritime in the Eastern Sea are common interests of the relevant parties in the region.

Việt Nam and Australia should expand cooperation in addressing trans-national issues, including human trafficking, said PM Julia Gillard.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and Australian counterpart Julia Gillard witness the signing ceremony of the Việt Nam–Australia Action Program for the 2010–2013 period, Hà Nội, October 31, 2010 – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

She also extended her congratulations to Việt Nam as the ASEAN President in 2010 and deep condolences to victims of the recent floods in the Central Region.

On the same day, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of an agreement on connectivity in the Mekong Delta center, and the Việt Nam–Australia Action Program for the period of 2010–2013.

The documents provide a legal framework for the two countries to engage in specific cooperation projects.

By Hải Minh