The Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC) has been officially launched by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), becoming a milestone in the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership.

According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the establishment of the centre is in implementation of an agreement signed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries in August 2019.

The Hanoi-based centre aims to help Vietnam access Australia’s knowledge, skills and expertise, experience in training and scientific research, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and deepening the fruitful partnership relationship between the two countries.

The VAC, to be jointly operated by the HCMA and the DFAT through the Aus4Skills Programme, also focuses on improving the capacity of Vietnamese leaders and managers to meet the requirements of integration and development of the country, and contributing to beefing up the close, positive and sustainable Vietnam-Australia cooperation relationship.

Earlier on June 8, the HCMA and DFAT signed an agreement on cooperation in implementing a project on establishing and building capacity of the VAC.

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade signed an agreement to establish and build the capacity of the Vietnam–Australia Centre. Photo: VNA

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie said her country is delighted to support Vietnam in its efforts to become a developed country with high income by 2045, Viet Nam News reported.

The centre’s establishment is an important initiative to realise this support, she stressed, adding that the centre is a symbol of mutual trust, and a priority in the development partnership between the two countries.

During their phone talks earlier this year, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne shared the view that the bilateral strategic partnership has been developing strongly despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

They said that the full reopening of the two countries will facilitate the promotion of bilateral relations in various fields, especially delegation and people-to-people exchanges, economy, agriculture and labour so as to bring the ties to a new height, according to VietnamPlus. /.

Trade between Vietnam and Australia hit $12.4 billion for the first time last year. Photo: VNA

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