PM Pham Minh Chinh Departs Hanoi for ASEAN-Australia Special Summit and Official Visits to Australia, New Zealand

190

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, accompanied by his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran and a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam, departed from Hanoi on March 4 morning to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia dialogue relations. Additionally, he will undertake official visits to Australia and New Zealand from March 5 to 11. This journey comes following invitations from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit presents an occasion for both sides to reflect on their relations over the past half-century and discuss measures to enhance the substantive and effective development of their ties within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021.

During his official visits to Australia and New Zealand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh aims to strengthen political trust and deepen cooperation across various sectors. This visit holds particular significance as it marks his first official visit to these countries since assuming office and his first tour of the two nations in over seven years.

The visit is anticipated to bolster the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Australia as well as Vietnam and New Zealand across politics, diplomacy, security, defense, economy, trade, investment, ODA, education, culture, tourism, and labor.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visits to Australia and New Zealand align with the foreign policy directives set forth by the 13th Party Congress, Conclusion 59-KL/TW of the Politburo on Vietnam’s ASEAN participation until 2030, and Directive 25-CT/TW of the Secretariat on advancing multilateral diplomacy until 2030. These visits demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment to proactive and substantive engagement in regional and global affairs.