During their meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11 on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese vowed to enhance cooperation between the two countries, for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region, the Vietnam News Agency has reported.

PM Chinh appreciated Australia’s support to Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of Typhoon Yagi which made landfall on Vietnam’s north region last month.

The two leaders noted with pleasure the fruitful developments of the bilateral relations over the past time, and discussed cooperation orientations for the time ahead.

They consented to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, continue effectively implementing the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), and promote collaboration in security-defense, labor, education-training, agriculture, science-technology, tourism, locality-to-locality connectivity, and people-to-people exchange, among other spheres.

The two PMs also agreed to further instruct ministries and agencies of the two countries to effectively implement the cooperation agreements reached by their leaders over the past time.

PM Albanese affirmed that Australia attaches importance to strengthening its relationship with Vietnam, noting the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a new chapter in the relations.

Australia will continue to priorities its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, particularly in the areas where Vietnam has demand, such as climate change adaptation, energy transition, digital transformation, and digital economy, he pledged.

PM Chinh suggested Australia contribute more to promoting dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building through ASEAN-led mechanisms, on the basis of respect for ASEAN's centrality as well as consultation with the bloc.

These efforts would help ensure peace, stability, and development in the region and the world at large, the Vietnamese leader said, calling on Australia to continue its support for ASEAN's efforts in narrowing the development gap, as well as its assistance to sub-regional cooperation, including the Mekong sub-region.