Newly Arrived Australian Ambassador: Australian Interest in Vietnam Has Never Been Higher

According to newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledznowski, Australians are interested in visiting Vietnam now that the country is open again for business.

Zoey Nguyễn

September 26, 2022 | 18:54

Australian newly-appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew John Lech Goledznowski has given general assessments of the potential to further promote multifaceted relations between Vietnam and Australia, saying that there are many opportunities for the two countries to expand their relations in the future. He wants to build and grow the relationship between the two countries, he said in a recent interview granted to Vietnam News Agency.

According to the ambassador, Vietnam is a dynamic and vibrant country with full of optimism, enthusiasm, energy, and goodwill towards Australia. Goledznowski highlighted the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership's strong development in recent years, saying that there is a large number of different agreements and arrangements, and they have expanded rapidly. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have continued to see momentum grow in their relationship, he said, citing the Aus4Innovation program as an example. Through the program, the Australian government spent 14.5 million AUD to strengthen Vietnam's innovation systems, and to help prepare for the 4.0 industry revolution in both countries, he said.

Newly Arrived Australian Ambassador: Australian interest in Vietnam Has Never Been Higher

Australian newly-appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew John Lech Goledznowski (Photo: VNA)

“People-to-people links between the two countries have grown so strongly over the last 50 years," he said, adding there are important political and, strategic links between the two countries.

Regarding investment, Australia wants to double its investment over the next few years, he said, adding that this is possible because Vietnam is opening up. He also congratulated Vietnam on its success in controlling and preventing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia is looking forward to further strengthening health cooperation with Vietnam to jointly deal with future health challenges.

“Vietnam has the plan to become a fully developed economy by 2045. That includes having a fully developed health system. So I think there's a lot we can do together. And it's one area of continuing interest for us,” he said.

On September 19, 2022, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Australian Ambassador to Vietnam - Andrew John Lech Goledznowski. Presenting his credentials to the President, Andrew John Lech Goledznowski begins his term in Vietnam.

At the reception, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc congratulated Australia on successfully holding the Federal Assembly elections and having a new Government headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Considering that the two countries' cooperation relations have developed very well in all fields over the past time, the President wished the Ambassador to continue contributing to promoting the strategic partnership between the two countries.

On this occasion, the President thanked Australia - the second largest supplier of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam with 22.2 million doses and has just announced support for more vaccines for Vietnam, according to VNA.

The President is delighted that the Vietnam-Australia Center has been established in Vietnam. With many Vietnamese studying and living in Australia, the President said that this is an important bridge to promote strategic cooperation between the two countries; We hope that Australia will create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community and simplify procedures for Vietnamese students to return to study in Australia.

The President suggested the two sides promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen cooperation on climate change, energy transformation, digital economy, and high-tech agriculture.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hoped that during this term, the Ambassador would contribute to further enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, security and defense, agriculture, labor and other fields.

In his response, the Australian Ambassador stressed that Australia wants to upgrade the relationship between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Along with promoting cooperation in all fields, the Ambassador wishes to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the field of health.

On behalf of the Governor-General of Australia, the Ambassador invited President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to pay an official visit to Australia.

In a video message published on the official Facebook Fanpage of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam on September 24, the newly appointed Ambassador talked about his experience being in Hanoi and his expectation for Vietnam-Australia relations.

Video: the official Facebook Fanpage of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

"Australian interest in Vietnam has never been higher," said the Australian diplomat.

Goledzinowskit claimed that businessmen, investors, education leaders and government officials are interested in visiting Vietnam as soon as possible now that the country is open again for business. He believes that this is a very important time for Australia in Vietnam. In a few months will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations.

He paid a visit to Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, also drink coconut juice and interacted with local people on the sidewalks.

At the end of the video message, the Australian ambassador asked for suggestions or ideas for places to visit and things he should do to explore Vietnamese culture.

"If you have ideas, please let me know either via Facebook or Twitter or just tell me face to face when we meet," he said."I am looking forward to meeting as many of you face-to-face as I possibly can. Until then, thanks very much and thank you for the very warm welcome."

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