Top leader urges further strengthening of economic ties with Australia

Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm with President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines during her official visit to Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm urged for further strengthening of economic cooperation between Việt Nam and Australia, affirming that Việt Nam will continue to create favourable conditions for Australian businesses to invest in the country.

He made these remarks while hosting President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines and a high-level delegation from the Australian Parliament during her official visit to Việt Nam on Tuesday.

The Australian Senate President briefed General Secretary and President Tô Lâm on the outcomes of her meeting with National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn and her talks with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

She emphasised that Australia views Việt Nam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and that the Australian Parliament supports the promotion of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Việt Nam.

She stated that with the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Australia and Việt Nam have become priority and significant partners for each other, adding that this provides an opportunity to build on existing cooperation achievements and expand collaboration in new areas, particularly in climate change, digital transformation, energy, minerals and peacekeeping.

She also expressed her support for the General Secretary and President’s views on the importance of bilateral cooperation, and she highly praised the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia to the country’s development and the strong friendship between the two nations.

General Secretary and President Tô Lâm expressed his belief that her visit to Việt Nam holds great significance, marking the first high-level official visit between the two countries since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This visit serves the interests of both nations and contributes to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

He also appreciated the Senate President’s positive contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

The top leader highlighted the strong and growing relationship between the two countries, with increasing political trust and untapped potential for further cooperation.

He noted that Việt Nam and Australia share many similar perspectives on regional and international issues, proposing that the two sides enhance high-level exchanges and interactions across state, parliamentary and party channels.

He emphasised the importance of continued economic cooperation and welcomed the new areas of collaboration mentioned by the Senate President.

Regarding cultural, educational and training cooperation, which he viewed as having long-term significance, General Secretary and President Tô Lâm requested that the Australian Senate President facilitate the Vietnamese community in Australia in continuing to contribute positively to the development of Australia and the strengthening of bilateral relations. — VNS