Vietnam and Australia unveil new cooperation priorities

The major directions for Vietnam-Australia cooperation in the coming period were outlined by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam at a joint press briefing.  

PM Albanese said the two sides had agreed to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on strengthening the resilience, adaptability and recovery capacity of their two economies.

The two countries will promote cooperation in defence, maritime affairs, border security, the digital economy, agriculture, energy, mining, technology, science and innovation.

Australia also sees further room to increase the value of bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties, Albanese said, noting that education is an important pillar of the relationship while additional air routes could help boost trade and people-to-people links.

Expanding cooperation into emerging technologies

Speaking to the press, leader To Lam announced the two sides had reached agreement on major directions for deepening bilateral ties.

A key priority is to expand cooperation in to areas of strategic importance to the two countries' new growth models, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, digital technology, cybersecurity, green technology and other emerging technologies.

The two countries will also work to strengthen their capacity to participate more deeply in regional and global supply chains, while expanding cooperation in education and training as well as people-to-people exchanges.

These priorities broaden the scope of Vietnam-Australia cooperation beyond traditional areas to new technologies and emerging drivers of growth, in line with the development needs of both economies amid rapid digital and green transitions.

PM Albanese affirmed Australia's desire to work closely with Vietnam to turn these new opportunities into concrete cooperation programmes that deliver practical benefits to the people of both countries.

The opening of additional air routes, he said, could also help facilitate trade and people-to-people connections, creating favourable conditions for stronger economic, tourism and social links.

Deepening maritime cooperation

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

Leader To Lam said Vietnam and Australia had agreed to strengthen dialogue and confidence-building, ensure maritime and aviation security and safety, and settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.

Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with Australia in maritime affairs as it pursues its goal of becoming a strong maritime nation.

Vietnam highly values and wishes to cooperate with a maritime power like Australia, he affirmed at the press briefing.

The direction creates further room for bilateral cooperation on maritime issues while contributing to dialogue and confidence-building toward a peaceful, stable region that respects international law.

At the regional level, Vietnam and Australia agreed to strengthen coordination, support each other at multilateral forums and coordinate positions on issues of shared concern.

Vietnam encouraged Australia to deepen its engagement with ASEAN, strengthen ASEAN centrality and support the Mekong subregion in developing a green and sustainable economy.

He also revealed that the two sides had signed a number of important cooperation documents during the visit, expressing his confidence that, with their shared determination, Vietnam-Australia relations would continue to grow strongly, serving the interests of the two peoples and contributing positively to peace, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.

Vietnam and Australia chart new areas of cooperation

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Australia will deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, education, digital transformation and high-quality human resources.