San Francisco, United States: On November 17, President Vo Van Thuong of Vietnam held separate meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in San Francisco.
According to Vietnam News Agency, In the meeting with Prime Minister Albanese, President Thuong discussed the robust development of Vietnam-Australia relations, especially since the establishment of their strategic partnership in 2018. The two leaders acknowledged the trust, friendship, and successful cooperation in various areas as the foundation for elevating their bilateral relations to new heights.
PM Albanese affirmed Australia’s commitment to the relationship with Vietnam, emphasizing continued support through official development assistance (ODA). He highlighted cooperation in areas like digital transformation, green economy, and climate change response. President Thuong expressed gratitude for Australia’s sustainable ODA and support in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The two leaders agreed to enhance delegation exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, defense, security, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, including increasing flights between the two countries. They also discussed creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Australia to contribute to both countries.
On regional and international matters, including the East Sea issue and Sub-Mekong region cooperation, the leaders agreed to continue mutual support at forums like the UN, ASEAN, and APEC.
In his meeting with President Boluarte Zegarra of Peru, President Thuong affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening relations with Peru and the Latin American region. He recalled the support of the Peruvian people during Vietnam’s national defense and current national construction efforts.
President Thuong expressed Vietnam’s desire to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with Peru, focusing on politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He appreciated Peru’s collaboration in telecommunications and oil and gas projects, expressing hope for continued support for Vietnamese enterprises in Peru.
President Boluarte Zegarra stressed the need to elevate economic and trade cooperation to match the political and diplomatic relations. She appreciated the substantive benefits of Vietnam’s projects and welcomed Vietnamese businesses in Peru. She suggested Vietnam consider opening an embassy in Lima and signing a visa exemption agreement for citizens of both countries.
President Thuong highlighted the importance of increasing contacts and bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic, trade, and investment areas. He emphasized the need to effectively utilize the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and initiate negotiations on investment protection and double taxation avoidance agreements.
President Boluarte Zegarra invited President Thuong to visit Peru and attend the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, pledging continued coordination with Vietnam at the UN and other international multilateral mechanisms and promoting cooperation with ASEAN.
President Thuong congratulated Peru on hosting the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to cooperating closely with Peru for the event’s success.