Lichsaid Vietnam-Australia cooperative relations in general and defence ties inparticular have witnessed positive development steps, especially after the twonations elevated the bilateral relationship to the level of strategicpartnership.
Theminister stressed that in 2018, Vietnam and Australia organised a range ofpractical activities to mark the 45th founding anniversary ofdiplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of defence ties, includingthe signing of the Declaration on Joint Visions for Enhancing DefenceCooperation by the two defence ministers during his official visit toAustralia.
Lichspoke highly of the outcomes of the Vietnam visit by Australian navy ships lastmonth, saying the trip helped to promote exchanges between the Vietnamese andAustralian people and armies and contribute to peace, stability and common developmentin the region.
Paynepledged to continue assisting Vietnam in United Nations peacekeeping operations.Besides training courses, Australia will send aircraft to fly Vietnamesemilitary officers of the second level-2 field hospital to the UN peacekeeping missionin South Sudan to replace the staff of the first level-2 field hospital laterthis year, she said.
Regardingcooperation within multilateral frameworks, the two ministers agreed tomaintain consultations and close coordination through regional mechanisms ledby the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN-AustraliaForum.
Lichsaid Vietnam wants to consult with Australia to reach common consensus when thecountry assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship and hosts activities within theframework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in 2020.-VNA