6th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

At the Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son once again thanked the Government and people of Australia for being the first country to transport many practical necessities to support Vietnamese localities in overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3 (Yagi).

The two sides affirmed to attach importance to and give high priority to the bilateral relationship and were pleased to see that the relationship between the two countries is developing well in most areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The two sides agreed that the upgrading of the relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in March 2024 was a strong and historic step in the development of the bilateral relationship, opening a new era of cooperation with higher political trust, deeper and more substantial scope and level of cooperation.

Scene of the 6th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Photo: TUAN ANH

The two sides agreed to promote high-level visits in the coming time. The two sides agreed to further strengthen trade and investment cooperation, striving to reach the two-way trade turnover target of 20 billion USD and double investment as stated in the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed the two countries' opening of markets for each other's fruits; and welcomed Australia's promotion of the implementation of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Vietnam.

Minister Penny Wong expressed her hope that Vietnam will continue to facilitate Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam, especially in the high-tech sector.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two countries continue to promote ties through educational cooperation, people-to-people exchange, and the implementation of work visa programs allowing Vietnamese workers to work in Australia. Minister Penny Wong agreed to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and expand cooperation and links between educational institutions of the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister Penny Wong signed the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period 2024 - 2027. Photo: TUAN ANH.

Regarding cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the two sides agreed to continue to promote and effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and enhance strategic information exchange, including through channel 1.5 and channel 2 dialogues.

At the end of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister Penny Wong agreed on the content and signed the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period 2024 - 2027.