The Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association and the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Association are willing to boost their relations and believe that their intensified ties will benefit both countries.

This was included in a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two organisations signed in Hanoi on May 19.

The document also mentions the promotion of exchanges in the fields of education and culture, people-to-people diplomacy, and humanitarian aid for Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Australia-Vietnam association Kim Sampson emphasised the need to continue humanitarian assistance for Vietnamese AO victims as they are day and night struggling against serious diseases as consequences of the toxic chemical.

Regarding China’s illegal placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s waters, he said this act has affected the regional peace and stability.

He added his association will ask the Australian Foreign Minister to raise voice to help settle the situation.-VNA