Australian official highlights development momentum of Việt Nam-Australia relations

MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, and Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm (right). — VNA/VNS Photo

SYDNEY  –  Matt Thistlethwaite, member of parliament, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, spoke highly of the development momentum of the Viêt Nam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, including cooperation in national defence-security, and immigration. 

At a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm on August 15 at the Parliament House, Thistlethwaite suggested the two countries continue their close collaboration in the fight against transnational crimes and illegal immigration, and effectively implementing consultation mechanisms, as well as the memorandum of understanding on information sharing in immigration.

The official expressed his delight at the increasing number of Australian tourists to Việt Nam, and vice versa, and the fact that the Southeast Asian nation remains among top student source countries for Australia.

For his part, Tâm stressed new developments in the bilateral cooperation since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of the official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính in March 2024, saying the two countries have increased delegation exchanges, dialogues and consultations regarding immigration; and signed and put in place relevant agreements.

The ambassador praised Australia’s assistance in English teaching, improving the capacity of personnel, and upgrading equipment in the immigration sector, and called on the Australian side to continue the support.

Tâm also suggested Australia create more favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Australia, and speed up visa processing for Vietnamese students.

At a meeting with Director of the ASEAN-Australia Centre (AAC) Fiona Hoggart in Canberra on August 13, Tâm suggested Hoggart help promote the strong points in the cooperation between ASEAN member countries and Australia, and propose solutions to bottlenecks in the bilateral cooperative ties.

The diplomat also noted his support for coordination and cooperation between the ASEAN Committee in Canberra and the AAC, as well as his readiness to introduce candidates from the Vietnamese community in Australia to the centre’s advisory board if requested. — VNS