Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) According to his article titled “ASEAN is coming toAustralia!,” the Special Summit, taking place from March 4-6, is a significantmilestone in Australia’s shared history with the region. It will showcaseAustralia’s commitment to deepening engagement with Southeast Asia and ensuringthe sides remain a partner for the future. It is the second time Australia hashosted ASEAN leaders, with the first ASEAN-Australia Special Summit takingplace in 2018.
The diplomat wrote: “The period between the two SpecialSummits has been a time of significant development in the bilateralrelationship between Australia and Vietnam. In 2018, our Prime Ministerselevated relations to a Strategic Partnership. Only four years later, during thevisit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Australia, our twoGovernments announced the shared intention to elevate relations further to aComprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), reflecting the importance, ambitionand promise in our bilateral cooperation.”
“ASEAN is central to our future and Australia takes its partnership with ASEANseriously. We have close relations with all ASEAN Member States includingdiplomatic missions in each ASEAN capital.”
According to Goledzinowski, Australia was also the firstcountry to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN in 2021. Hesaid it is clear that Australia and ASEAN not only face shared challenges, buthave shared interests in a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous region.
In 2022, Australia’s two-way trade with ASEAN nations amounted to around 178billion AUD – greater than the nation’s two-way trade with Japan, the US or theEU. Per capita, Australia is the largest development partner of ASEAN. Thisincludes supporting ASEAN-led projects that address complex challenges in theregion, such as the development of the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality. Lastyear, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the Invested:Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, with the objective beingto increase opportunities for businesses in Australia and Southeast Asia.
The ambassador also elaborated on the Special Summit will’s four key areas offocus, namely Business, Emerging Leaders, Climate and Clean Energy, andMaritime Cooperation.
Also in his op-ed, Goledzinowski said: “As the relationshipbetween Australia and ASEAN goes from strength to strength, we are ambitiousabout our relationship with Vietnam. Vietnam is important to Australia’seconomic future.”
According to him, the focus areas of the 2024 Summit mirrorthe shared priorities in the Australia-Vietnam relationship. “We look forwardto elevating our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership andenhancing cooperation across key fields including climate change, digitaltransformation, trade and investment, critical minerals and education. TheSummit also provides unique opportunities to highlight people-to-peopleconnections.”
He said following the Summit in Melbourne, VietnamesePrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran will travel toCanberra as the Australian Government's guest.
“I welcome Prime Minister Chinh, Madam Tran and theVietnamese delegation to Australia to build on the significant achievements wecelebrated last year to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. I amproud to highlight the strength of the Australia-Vietnam partnership, and toshow the Vietnamese delegation true Aussie hospitality in my beautiful country,”he concluded./.
VNA
