PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Sydney (VNA) – The official Vietnam visit by Australian PrimeMinister Anthony Albanese has been a success, a sign that bilateralrelationship will continue to flourish in the future, said co-founder of the Australia-Vietnam Policy InstituteLayton Pike.
In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Sydney, Pikesaid the visit was highly successful in highlighting key aspects of bilateralrelationship, such as education, trade, security, as well as cooperation inareas like clean energy and skilled workers.
Hereiterated that Albanese emphasised Australia's desire to enhance cooperationwith Vietnam to address the shortage of skilled workers in Australia,considering it a top priority.
Accordingto him, the continued deepening of strategic partnership contents towards newheights in the future is a clear indication that the Australia-Vietnam ties arethriving and growing stronger.
Pike expressed his delight at stronger bilateral ties in various areas, especially inaddressing security challenges and climate change in the future, and highlighted Australiawill assist Vietnam in its energy transition with a support package of 105million AUD (69.9 million USD), enabling sustainable development planning, cleanenergy expansion, and mining, and expanded support for Vietnam in agriculture. This demonstrates the momentum of bilateral relationshipfor the coming years.
Speakinghighly of the inauguration of the Business Connectivity and Innovation Centre atRMIT University in Hanoi, he said he believes that the centre will enable communities,Government agencies, organisations and businesses in Hanoi to boost cooperationin serving development priorities, including smart and sustainable cityinitiatives, regional collaboration, emerging technologies, and socialinnovation.
Pike added he isalso impressed with how PM Albanese mingled in Vietnamese culture and customs andhad a great time during his visit. According to him, all of these contribute todeepening personal connections between the two countries’ leaders andstrengthening the overall bilateral ties. Furthermore, the opportunity to enjoy bia hoi (draft beer) and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) also offered him a chance to highlightthe importance of Australia’s exports such as barley and wheat flour used in the production of beer and bread in Vietnam, among other products.
Froma broader perspective, he said strengthening Australia's relationship withVietnam is also an important part of PM Albanese's commitment to rebuildingAustralia's ties with Southeast Asian countries./.
