The agreement was reached during high-level talks in Canberra on September 7 between Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh.

Both host and guest shared the view that relations between the two countries have fared well in politics, economics, trade, investment, education, culture and tourism since Australia and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1973. They spoke highly of the efficiency of Vietnam-Australia dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, including regional security and human rights dialogues.

The two leaders affirmed their determination to deepen the relationship between Vietnam and Australia through maintaining reciprocal visits at all levels and further cooperation and consultation at a ministerial level.

Mr Rudd and Mr Manh agreed to increase economic and trade cooperation, especially in mining, light and processing industries, financial and banking services, and to create favourable conditions for their businesses to invest in each other’s countries. They also pledged to work closely to effectively implement projects using Australian’s official development assistance (ODA) in Vietnam.  

Mr Manh thanked the Australian government and people for providing ODA to Vietnam, saying Australia is one of the important and long-term aid donors for the Southeast Asian nation.

PM Rudd assured Mr Manh that his government will provide Vietnam with the necessary aid to carry out development projects, including the design and building of Cao Lanh Bridge in the Mekong Delta, as a vivid manifestation of the relationship between Australia and Vietnam.

Acknowledging the cooperation in the education sector, PM Rudd affirmed that his government will increase scholarships for Vietnamese university students and finance programmes to train PhDs and officials in administrative management, international law and English.  

The two leaders agreed to launch negotiations on a scientific research agreement to promote joint research between Australian and Vietnamese scientists. 

While discussing regional and global issues of mutual concern, they underlined the need to increase bilateral cooperation in international forums such as the United Nations, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

They were also consented to step up work to address global issues such as environmental protection, climate change, the prevention of natural disasters and epidemics, the fight against terrorism, disarmament, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and trans-national crime.

Party leader Manh thanked Australia for supporting Vietnam in the international integration process, including its bid to join APEC and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and in becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2008-09 term.

He voiced Vietnam’s support for Australia’s initiative to establish an Asia-Pacific Community and its candidacy to the UNSC as a non-permanent member for the 2013-14 term. He also affirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost to improve relations between Australia and ASEAN when it chairs the regional grouping in 2010.

For his part, PM Rudd praised Vietnam’s support for his country to join the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2010 and further integrate into Asia, especially in ASEAN and EAS forums. He said that Australia will assist Vietnam in negotiations to accede to the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP).

Mr Manh invited Mr Rudd to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

In the morning, Mr Manh met with the Vietnamese Embassy staff and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese community in Canberra.