Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh met with Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce on Sept. 8 – the 3rd day of his official visit to the country as a guest of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The Party leader praised Australia ’s recent developments and its growing position in the region and the world.

Bryce said Party General Secretary Manh’s ongoing visit is expected to lift the friendship and cooperation between the two nations to a new height.

The governor general spoke highly of Vietnam ’s renewal policies and the great successes it has recorded in recent years as well as the country’s increasing regional and international role.

Host and guest held that the elevation of bilateral relations to that of a comprehensive partnership would usher in a new period of development between Vietnam and Australia .

The two leaders agreed upon a number of directions and measures aimed at stepping up their cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment, education, tourism and culture.

Bryce pledged to continue supporting and creating favourable conditions to foster the development of friendly and cooperative ties between Australia and Vietnam .

Earlier, General Secretary Manh visited the Gungahlin Homestead Institute of Agricultural Research where he learnt about issues related to agricultural development, in terms of sustainability, as well as combining it with forestry development and rural construction.

The Party chief hailed the institute’s cooperation with Vietnam , particularly in improving the efficiency of agricultural production, eliminating hunger and reducing poverty in Vietnam .

Vietnam has paid due attention to sustainably developing agriculture and wants to beef up its cooperative ties with Australia in this field along with other fields that are among Australia’s strengths, he said.

Later on the day, the Party General Secretary and his delegation left the capital city of Canberra for New South Wales as part of his visit./.