The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Dong Thap province on May 27 (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister urged the two Foreign Ministries to work closely to enhance the just-established Strategic Partnership between the two countries in order to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. Mr. Dung appreciated Australia’s prioritized ODA for Vietnam in the 2018-2019 fiscal year saying the fund contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development. Minister Bishop said the Australian government considered Vietnam one of its key partners in the Asia-Pacific region and cited the establishment of the Strategic Partnership. She said Australia will work closely with Vietnam to realize the Joint Statement on Establishing Strategic Partnership and targets of the 2016-2019 Action Programs.

The two sides praised their cooperation at regional and global forums. Minister Bishop reiterated Australia’s stance on the East Sea issue emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea and settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Australian Minister repeated Australia’s support for Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.