Pham expressed his delight at the comprehensive and substantive development in Viet Nam-Australia relations, adding that the upgrade of the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership has opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations with higher political trust.

He expressed thanks to Australia for financing a number of projects in all areas of defense and security, capacity building, training, science and technology, innovation and climate change adaption for Viet Nam.

The Prime Minister urged both sides to work closely to concretize high-level agreements and step up cooperation to be commensurate with the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Sue Lines, for her part, reiterated that Viet Nam is a crucial partner of Australia, adding that the Australian Government and parliament give high priority to Viet Nam in its foreign policy in the region.

She affirmed Australia's consistent stance on the East Sea issue, supporting the principled stance of Viet Nam and ASEAN in ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation.

The top Australian legislator underlined the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Both sides pledged to continue promoting dialogue, sharing information, and enhancing mutual understanding and trust, as well as strengthen defense and security cooperation.

They vowed to promote economic cooperation, including boosting investment and trade, and strive to soon raise two-trade turnover to US$20 billion.

The host and the guest agreed to foster collaboration in potential fields such as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, digital transformation, science, technology and innovation.

It is necessary to enhance people-to-people exchanges and local-to-local linkages to increase mutual understandings between their peoples, they emphasized.

Viet Nam and Australia need to strengthen consultation, information sharing, policy assessment, and bolster stronger ties at regional and international forums, making active contribution to peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, with ASEAN playing a central role, both sides stressed./.