NA Chairman addresses Australia - Vietnam Policy Institute
Melbourne (VNA) – National Assembly
Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has expressed his delight to
visit and address the Australia - Viet Nam Policy Institute (AVPI), the first
agency in charge of conducting policy research and providing recommendations
specifically on the Vietnam - Australia ties.
In his keynote
speech at the AVPI in the headquarters of RMIT University in Melbourne city,
Victoria state, on December 2 (local time), Chairman Hue said the establishment and operation of the AVPI thus far reflect
Australia’s increasing attention to Vietnam, at a time when the two countries are entering a new phase of more
robust and substantive development in terms of bilateral relations.
The AVPI has convened many diverse discussions on policy
issues, and connectivity among businesses and localities from both sides, he
said, hoping that the AVPI will soon become a leading research centre on Vietnam
in the region, and serve as an incubator for ideas on the means to further
strengthen the Vietnam - Australia ties in the next five decades.
Introducing
his speech themed “Enhancing Australia-Vietnam strategic partnership for peace,
stability, cooperation and development”, Hue shared his
thought on three items, namely the situation in the region and the world, Vietnam’s foreign policy,
particularly pertaining to the Indo-Pacific; and the Australia - Vietnam ties
at present, and future prospects.
He affirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing
interdependence among countries, are testaments to the fact that no country, even
major powers, can overcome all challenges by itself, and no country, however
small, would lack opportunities for development.
In many cases, hardships constitute the driver for
innovation and development. Over the past years, despite external challenges,
Australia has made every effort in establishing resilient supply chains,
diversifying its market, and bolstering the resilience of its economy.
Such is an invaluable experience for countries, including
Vietnam, to learn from, he stated.
“Peace and
cooperation for common development continue to be the primary trend of our time.
Such is the common aspiration of all countries and peoples worldwide. Countries
share the understanding that multilateralism, cooperation, connectivity, and
integration in line with international law, rather than selfish nationalism or
power politics, constitute the optimal means to overcome challenges.
In this
context, Vietnam maintains its wish and
strong resolve to work with other countries, including Australia, to pen new
and brighter chapters in the chronicle of the region, thereby making substantive
contributions to common peace and prosperity around the world”, he said.
About Vietnam’s foreign policy, Hue said Vietnam has now
established diplomatic ties with 189 out of 193 UN members, as well as economic
and trade relations with over 220 partner countries and economies. The
Vietnamese legislature also
has relations with more than 140 parliaments worldwide.
He asserted that Vietnam places the people at the heart of
every guideline and policy. They are both the goal and driver for development,
and for efforts toward social progress and equality. Vietnam is striving to
harmoniously address the relationship between interests of different social
strata, and continuously improve the living standard and happiness of the
people.
The Party, NA, Government and people of Vietnam are making
every effort to take Vietnam into a new phase of development, with a wide range
of ambitious goals outlined at the 13th National Party Congress.
These include:
By 2030, Vietnam will become a developing country with
a modern industry and upper-middle income.
And by 2045, Vietnam will become a developed,
high-income country.
To fulfill this noble aspiration, Vietnam, first and
foremost, is building upon the internal strength of the entire nation, and
remaining steadfast in implementing the foreign policy of independence,
self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, he said.
“With the foreign policy determined at the 13th National Party Congress, we continue to pursue multilateralisation and
diversification of external relations, and proactive and actively engage in
extensive and intensive international integration. Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and
an active, responsible member of the international community.
We respect the fundamental principles of the UN
Charter and international law, including the respect for independence,
sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, cooperation, and mutual interest.
We also uphold the principle of addressing disputes via peaceful means”, he
stated.
Regarding the Vietnam - Australia relationship and its
prospects, Hue said over the past half century, despite the various ups and
downs in history, cooperation for mutual development has always been the
primary trend in bilateral ties.
The cooperation between the
Vietnamese NA and the Australian Parliament witnessed robust growth, playing an
important role in the development of bilateral ties. With the signing of
multiple cooperation agreements, the two sides have maintained regular
exchanges of parliamentary delegations, and experience sharing in parliamentary
work, particularly in the building of institutions and legal systems.
“The Vietnam - Australia relationship is, at present,
stronger than ever. After 50 years, generations of leaders and peoples from
both countries have travelled a long way to reach the ties our two countries
enjoy today. Few people can imagine that our two countries would be able to
reap such success”.
As 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of
diplomatic relations, he underscored that it is necessary to bolster economic and trade ties, and consider this
the core and driver of the two countries’ Strategic Partnership.
The two countries should
further deepen strategic, defense, and security cooperation and need to successfully establish strategic cooperation pillars in education,
training, and innovation, and support each other in the successful
implementation of digital transformation and green transition towards
sustainable development, he said.
Also at the institute, he answered questions on measures to promote the two countries' ties in some areas./.