 Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue addresses a meeting at the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute. (photo: VOV) |
Chairman Hue’s official visits to Australia and New Zealand took place between November 30th and December 6th. The visits realized Vietnam’s external policy set by the 13th National Party Congress to strengthen relations with neighboring countries and strategic partners.
Expanding cooperation in multiple fields
Vietnam and Australia are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2023. At meetings with Australian leaders, Mr. Hue informed them of Vietnam's development views and desire to tighten relations with Australia. The two sides agreed to consider upgrading their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at an appropriate time, when relevant procedures are completed. A highlight of the visit was the successful organization of the Vietnam-Australia Economic Cooperation Forum.
 Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (photo: VOV) |
The Managing Director of the Asia Association, Philipp Ivanov, said the Forum opened new opportunities. Mr. Hue met with representatives of several Australian companies that are operating in Vietnam, and they agreed there is a lot of potential for cooperation in agriculture, technology, and defense.
During Mr. Hue’s visit to New Zealand, leaders of both countries pledged to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and agreed to expand cooperation to digital transformation, energy transition, and climate change.
Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung said: “This important visit renews bilateral ties, deepens cooperation, and contributes to the successful implementation of the action plan for the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership in the 2021-2024 period.”
20 cooperation agreements were signed between universities in the two countries manifesting a great potential for further bilateral cooperation in education.
 Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of New Zealand’s House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe (photo: VOV) |
Creating a new impetus for parliamentary cooperation
Strengthening parliamentary cooperation was high on the agenda of Mr. Hue’s visit to Australia and New Zealand. Secretary General and Chairman of the National Assembly Office Bui Van Cuong said the Vietnamese and Australian legislatures signed an agreement pledging deeper cooperation in the future.
“I greatly appreciate signing the cooperation agreement. This maybe the first time in the history of parliamentary diplomacy that there was a trilateral agreement. It shows that Australia attaches great importance to cooperation with Vietnam. The agreement will push the strategic partnership to a new height.”
Vietnam and New Zealand agreed to build a cooperation agreement to lay a legal framework for both sides to deepen relations in the future.
Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha said: “We will continue to discuss specific contents of the cooperation agreement and sign it as soon as possible. Chairman Hue expressed his wish that the cooperation agreement be signed before the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025.”
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s visits to Australia and New Zealand gained impressive results and created a new impetus for Vietnam's relations with Australia and New Zealand.