Australian official highlights development momentum of Vietnam-Australia relations

MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, on August 15 spoke highly of the development momentum of the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, including cooperation in national defence-security, and immigration.

MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, and Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Hung Tam (right). (Photo: VNA)
MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, and Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Hung Tam (right). (Photo: VNA)

Sydney (VNA) – MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, on August 15 spoke highly of the development momentum of the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, including cooperation in national defence-security, and immigration.

At a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Hung Tam 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 Vietnam, and vice versa, and the fact that the Southeast Asian nation remains among top student source countries for Australia.

For his part, Tam 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 Pham Minh Chinh 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.

Tam 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, Tam 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./.

VNA

See more

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse are welcomed at Zvartnots International Airport of Yerevan on late April 1 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman begins official visit to Armenia

The official visit is a demonstration of Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia.

President Luong Cuong and his spouse and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the state banquet. (Photo: VNA)

State leader, spouse host grand banquet for Belgian King, Queen

In the past over five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have emerged as key partners across multiple fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health care, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Both nations have also worked closely together at multilateral forums, particularly as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Party leader To Lam (R) and Belgian King Philippe (Photo: VNA)

Belgian King’s visit to create new momentum for deepening ties: Party leader

Belgian King Philippe's visit, accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, representatives of universities and research institutes, would create new momentum to deepen and enhance the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium in a practical and effective way, meeting the benefits of their people and contributing responsibly to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) hosts visiting King Philippe of Belgium in Hanoi on April 1 (Photo: VNA)

NA leader hosts Belgian King in Hanoi

To further strengthen Vietnam-Belgium relations, especially parliamentary cooperation, both sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly between parliamentary committees and friendship groups. They also pledged to share legislative and supervisory experience, coordinate positions in international organisations, support each other’s candidacies for UN bodies, and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) meets with Belgian King Philippe in Hanoi on April 1 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wants to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation with Belgium: State President

President Cuong warmly welcomed King Philippe and a high-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium on their first state visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, affirming that the trip is an important historical milestone, opening up a new page for the friendly relations between the two countries.