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Seminar looks back on Vietnam’s role as ASEAN 2020 Chair

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 17 hosted an international seminar to look back on the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 of Vietnam under the chair of Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

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Seminar looks back on Vietnam’s role as ASEAN 2020 Chair hinh anh 1

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung (third, left) The high-level roundtable on “A cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community: 2020 Reflection for bolder joint actions” (Photo: VNA)

In his opening remarks, Dung, who also head of Vietnam’s ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, said despite of geostrategic fluctuations in the region and the world, the ASEAN Community has not been affected by “violent winds”, and continued to consolidate its central role, and maintain intra-bloc cooperation and that between the group and its outside partners for global peace, security and sustainable development.

Delegates agreed that 2020 is an important milestone in the ASEAN development process with the prominent role as ASEAN Chair 2020 played by Vietnam.

While praising the positive success made by Vietnam during the year, they said Vietnam has shown flexibility, creativity and proactiveness, and promoted its “core” role in ASEAN, step by step leading the group to overcome difficulties, successfully implement the “dual” goals of maintaining ASEAN building momentum and strengthening intra-regional solidarity, and improving the bloc’s responsiveness.

Participants particularly hailed the role of Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in mobilising efforts of the whole Community to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and promote comprehensive recovery in the region.

Initiatives such as the ASEAN COVID-19 Respond Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies and the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework have been supported and actively joined by ASEAN member countries.

As the Chair of ASEAN 2020, Vietnam has led ASEAN in the right direction by taking the cooperation against the epidemic and recovery as a “flag” gathering intra-bloc solidarity and consensus of the bloc’s partners, and using digital platforms to maintain cooperation activities amid difficulties posed by the pandemic.

The priorities and initiatives of Vietnam put forth during the year have received the support and appreciation of the all ASEAN member countries and partners.

Despite a year of difficulties and challenges, under the leadership of Vietnam, all priorities of ASEAN in 2020 have been fully completed, especially the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), outlining orientations for building the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025, the approval of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, linking sub-regional cooperation with the ASEAN Community building process, narrowing development gaps, strengthening connectivity, and promoting gender equality.

The active results have partly demonstrated vitality, dynamism, resilience, balance and adaptation capacity of ASEAN, participants said.

They stressed that in addition to efforts to fight COVID-19 and promote recovery, it is also necessary to fully and effectively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The group should take concrete measures, make full use of digital technology and bring into play the results of mid-term assessment of ASEAN Community building blueprints to 2025 in order to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the remaining phase of the blueprints.

ASEAN should continue to uphold and ensure intra-regional solidarity and integration, promote its values, identity and geostrategic, geopolitical and economic advantages, and follow up and complete the set Community building goals, delegates said.

They also expressed their expectation that ASEAN will promote its role, contributing to global efforts in maintaining peace, security, stability and sustainable development, effectively responding to challenges./.VNA

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/seminar-looks-back-on-vietnam-s-role-as-asean-2020-chair-698400.html

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Australia pledges over $69mn in aid to Vietnam

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Australia will provide an aid package worth AU$105 million (US$69.4 million) for Vietnam to develop sustainable infrastructure, and speed up energy transition, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made this announcement at a talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Sunday.

Besides, the aid is also aimed at helping the Southeast Asian nation develop the mining industry.

Vietnam and Australia are striving to achieve $20 billion in bilateral trade in the coming time, the Vietnamese prime minister said at the talk, as part of the top Australian official’s visit to Vietnam.

Two-way trade totaled some $16 billion in 2022, up some 30 percent against 2021.

The two nations will shore up their connectivity of transport and the partnership in the financial, banking, and e-commerce fields.

Australia is also committed to creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese farm produce to enter its market.

The two nations will enhance the educational cooperation to strengthen highly-skilled workforces.

Over 300,000 Vietnamese citizens are living, working, and studying in Australia, said Australian PM Albanese.

RMIT University announced a new strategic investment fund to expand its operation in Ho Chi Minh City, witnessed by the Australian prime minister during his visit to the campus in Hanoi on Saturday.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Chinh (R) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Albanese before talks on June 4, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese Prime Minister Chinh (R) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Albanese before their talks on June 4, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Besides, the Australian official said that Western Sydney University would grant 60 scholarships to Vietnamese students.

Vietnam and Australia are eyeing tourism cooperation. Vietnam has two airlines that are operating direct air routes to Australia, with Vietjet’s air service linking Brisbane City, which will host the 2032 Summer Olympics.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Prime Minister Chinh said that Vietnam and Australia would deepen their partnership in climate change response, digitalization, green transition, and circular economic development.

“We are pleased to announce the extension of the Aus4Innovation development assistance program. Accordingly, Australian agencies will collaborate with Vietnamese ones to advance research activities,” said Albanese.

Apart from these support programs and cooperative agreements, the two leaders put forward some solutions to upgrade the bilateral relations as soon as possible, heard a press conference.

After the two leaders’ talks, they witnessed the exchange of four cooperation instruments in the science-technology, financial, education, and trade fields.

Among them was the memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the establishment of a trade dialogue at the ministerial level.

Vietnamese low-cost airline Vietjet received a certificate for the Ho Chi Minh City – Brisbane air route, witnessed by the two top officials, while Vietnam’s national flag carrier announced its plan to open the Hanoi – Melbourne route at the event. 

Australian Prime Minister Albanese arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Saturday for his two-day Vietnam visit.

The prime ministers of Vietnam and Australia witness a representative of Vietjet receiving a certificate for the launch of a nonstop air route between Vietnam and Australia. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

The prime ministers of Vietnam (R, back row) and Australia (L, back row) witness a representative of Vietjet receiving a certificate for the launch of a nonstop air route between Vietnam and Australia, June 4, 2023. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/politics/20230604/australia-pledges-over-69mn-in-aid-to-vietnam/73579.html

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Vietnamese prime minister chairs welcome ceremony for Australian counterpart

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a welcome ceremony for Australian Prime Minister Anthoney Albanese at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Sunday morning.

This is the third time the two leaders have met each other.

The two had a meeting at an expanded summit of the Group of Seven in Japan two weeks ago.

This is PM Albanese’s first official visit to Vietnam since he took office in May last year.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh greets his Australian counterpart Anthony Alabanese. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh greets his Australian counterpart Anthony Alabanese. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam and Australia have maintained over 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including some important agreements on prime ministers’ annual meeting and high-ranking delegation exchange. A photo shows children waving flags during the welcome ceremony for Australian PM Albanese. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam and Australia have maintained over 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including some important agreements on prime ministers’ annual meeting and high-ranking delegation exchange. A photo shows children waving flags during the welcome ceremony for Australian PM Albanese in Hanoi, June 4, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

His trip, made only two months after a state visit by Australian Governor-General David Hurley, is aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.

During a talk between Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong and Australian Governor-General Hurley, as part of the latter’s official Vietnam visit in April, the two reached a consensus on upgrading the two-way relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the right time.

The Vietnam – Australia partnership focuses on three key pillars, including economic cooperation; knowledge, education and innovation; and national defense cooperation, according to Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski.

Goledzinowski expects the two countries to upgrade their ties, and make energy transition and climate change response the fourth key pillar of the two-way relationship in the coming time.

Prime Minister Chinh and Australian PM Albanese attend the welcome ceremony for the latter on June 4, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Prime Minister Chinh and Australian PM Albanese attend the welcome ceremony for the latter on June 4, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic ties in 1973. The two-way relations have thrived over the past 50 years. A photo shows the two prime ministers watching photos at a photo exhibition highlighting diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic ties in 1973. The two-way relations have thrived over the past 50 years. A photo shows the two prime ministers watching photos at a photo exhibition highlighting diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Australian Prime Minister Albanese arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Saturday afternoon, starting his two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

After his arrival, he visited RMIT University, a symbol of the two nations’ educational cooperation.

The leader of the university announced the next stage of the ‘RMIT’s commitment to Vietnam’ program, which features a strategic investment fund worth VND3.8 trillion (US$161.8 million), witnessed by the Australian prime minister.

The Australian prime minister also met some Vietnamese and Australian firms, feeling a glow of pride as Australia is Vietnam’s companion on the journey toward a major economy.

After the welcome ceremony, the top officials walk to the headquarters of the Government Office in Hanoi for talks. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi tre

After the welcome ceremony, the top officials walk to the headquarters of the Government Office in Hanoi for talks. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Australia is one of Vietnam’s largest non-refundable development assistance suppliers. Vietnam received an average AU$92.7 million in aid per year from Australia between 2013 and 2019, and AU$78.9 a year during the 2020-22 period. A photo shows the Vietnamese prime minister holding talks with his Australian counterpart. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Australia is one of Vietnam’s largest non-refundable development assistance suppliers. Vietnam received an average AU$92.7 million (US$61.3 million) in aid per year from Australia between 2013 and 2019, and AU$78.9 million ($52.2 million) a year during the 2020-22 period. A photo shows the Vietnamese prime minister holding talks with his Australian counterpart. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

As of April 2023, Australia had got involved in 596 projects in Vietnam, ranking it the 26th among 143 nations and territories investing in the latter. Such projects focus on processing, production, lodging services, healthcare, agriculture and social activities. A photo shows Prime Minister Chinh and Australian Prime Minister Albanese waving at reporters before a meeting. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

As of April 2023, Australia had got involved in 596 projects in Vietnam, ranking it the 26th among 143 nations and territories investing in the latter. Such projects focus on processing, production, lodging services, healthcare, agriculture, and social activities. A photo shows Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Australian Prime Minister Albanese waving at reporters before a meeting. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh told the Vietnam News Agency that Australian PM Albanese has a deep love for Vietnam. In 1987, when he was a young official, he accompanied a high-ranking delegation of the Australian government during a visit to Vietnam.

As such, when making a comeback to the Southeast Asian nation, Albanese spent some time visiting an eatery in Hanoi to enjoy his lunch.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese visits Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay his tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Australian Prime Minister Albanese visits Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay his tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/politics/20230604/vietnamese-prime-minister-chairs-welcome-ceremony-for-australian-counterpart/73571.html

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Australian PM tries Hanoi draft beer during visit to Vietnam

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent time visiting a local beer spot in Hanoi to enjoy bia hoi (light Vietnamese draft beer) after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Saturday afternoon.

PM Albanese joined a crowd at a draft beer spot on Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District to drink ice-cold draft beer and have lunch there.

The Australian leader sat at the same table as that of Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh and Director of the State Protocol Department Nguyen Viet Dung.

Before visiting the draft beer spot, PM Albanese bought a loaf of banh mi, a Vietnamese baguette served with different fillings, for lunch
Before visiting the draft beer spot, PM Albanese bought a loaf of banh mi, a Vietnamese baguette served with different fillings, for lunch.
A staff member of a banh mi stall gives banh mi to PM Albanese
A staff member of a banh mi stall gives banh mi to PM Albanese.
A representative of the Vietnam-based brewer Habeco briefs PM Albanese on the history and development of Hanoi draft beer
A representative of the Vietnam-based brewer Habeco briefs PM Albanese on the history and development of Hanoi draft beer.
PM Albanese jointly says “Mot, hai, ba, Do!” (one, two, three, Cheers!) and chats with people drinking beer in the shop
PM Albanese jointly says “Mot, hai, ba, do!” (one, two, three, Cheers!) and chats with people drinking beer in the shop.
The head of the Australian government enjoys local delicacies served with draft beer
The head of the Australian government enjoys local delicacies served with draft beer.
The Australian government leader shows his interest in the beer drinking culture of Hanoi
The Australian government leader shows his interest in the beer drinking culture of Hanoi.
PM Albanese eats Hanoi-style banh mi, saying it tasted so good
PM Albanese eats Hanoi-style banh mi, saying it tasted so good.
PM Albanese says “Mot, hai, ba, Do!” with some people sharing the same table with him
PM Albanese says “Mot, hai, ba, do!” with some people sharing the same table with him.
Vietnam is the second destination of PM Albanese’s Southeast Asia trip. Earlier, he visited Singapore where he delivered an important speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2023, which is scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday
Vietnam is the second destination of PM Albanese’s Southeast Asia trip. Earlier, he visited Singapore where he delivered an important speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2023, which is scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday.
PM Albanese shakes hands with the owner of a draft beer spot on Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, June 3, 2023
PM Albanese shakes hands with the owner of a draft beer spot on Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, June 3, 2023.
PM Albanese takes a wefie with two Vietnamese who helped him know more about Hanoian cuisine
PM Albanese takes a wefie with two Vietnamese who helped him know more about Hanoian cuisine.

Sam Tran, a Vietnamese chef who lived in Australia, accompanied PM Albanese during a visit to the local draft beer spot.

She said the Australian leader did not book a private room but opted to enjoy draft beer like others normally do.

He sat at a table which is a large piece of plastic being placed above Hanoi draft beer barrels.

The top Australian official also showed his great chopstick skills when enjoying local food and ice-cold draft beer.

PM Albanese is a social person. He really enjoyed local food specialties. He also drank three glasses of draft beer in the afternoon, Sam Tran told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

PM Albanese arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Saturday afternoon, beginning a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

This is PM Albanese’s first official visit to Vietnam since he took office in May last year and only two months after a State-level visit by Australian Governor-General David Hurley, showing that Australia attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam.

PM Albanese and his entourage were welcomed at the airport by Minister – Chairman of the Vietnamese Government Office Tran Van Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, and other diplomatic officials.

On Sunday, the Australian leader and his entourage are scheduled to lay wreaths in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi.

He will also hold talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and meet with the press; meet with General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Vo Van Thuong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The two PMs will jointly visit and meet with the women’s football teams of Australia and Vietnam.

Australia is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973.

The visit by PM Albanese takes place at a time when Vietnam and Australia celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski at a press briefing on June 2, 2023. Photo: Tien Dat / Tuoi Tre
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski at a press briefing on June 2, 2023. Photo: Tien Dat / Tuoi Tre

Prior to the visit, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski told the press on Friday that the two nations are strategic partners in three pillars, including economic cooperation covering trade and investment; knowledge, innovation and education; and national defense cooperation.

The ambassador hoped that the two countries would upgrade their relationship to the next level and add the fourth pillar to their relationship.

The fourth pillar could be energy transition and climate change adaptation cooperation.

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/politics/20230603/australian-pm-tries-hanoi-draft-beer-during-visit-to-vietnam/73564.html

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