Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Government supports the Vietnamese andAustralian defence ministries to strengthen practical and sustainable ties tomatch bilateral strategic partnership and contribute to peace, stability anddevelopment in Asia-Pacific and beyond.

PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement at his reception for visiting AustralianDefence Minister Marise Payne in Hanoi on August 24.

He laudedthe development of bilateral defence ties in line with the Memorandum ofUnderstanding on defence cooperation signed in 2010.

On theoccasion, he asked for Australia’s further support in importing and consumingVietnamese products, especially fruits and aquatic products.

As regards theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), he said Vietnam will seriously consider anddiscuss with Australian government leaders about the deal.

On the EastSea issue, he wished that Australia would continue to raise its strong voice tosupport the settlement of the East Sea dispute by peaceful means on the basisof respecting international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea, seriously abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Partiesin the East Sea (DOC) towards soon reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC).

He alsoexpressed his support for regional countries to enhance anti-terrorismcollaboration.

Payne, forher part, spoke highly of the bilateral defence links in the current globalcontext, saying the ties had a historic advance, especially since Vietnamjoined the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.

She saidAustralia always takes consistent approach to regional issues by dealing with themin line with international law.

HailingVietnam’s role in the region, the guest said the TPP could still bring benefitsto member states and the Australian government still pursues the deal.

She wished that Vietnam would closely partner withAustralia in the fight against terrorism.-VNA