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Australia hopes to deepen relations with ASEAN

Hanoi , May 30 (VNA) – Australia wants to expand and deepen cooperation with the ASEAN member countries in politics, security, economics and people-to-people exchanges.

The grouping is one of the largest economic partners of Australia , with two-way trade doubling to 92 billion AUD over the past decade, said Nadia Krivetz, Charge d’Affaires ad Interim at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi , during a May 30 conference.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh was also present at the conference, held to mark the 40 th anniversary of the bilateral dialogue partnership. He said that the relations between the pair have been incessantly reinforced thanks to bilateral cooperation and support for the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region.

The ASEAN member countries will continue working towards deeper cooperation with Australia , while increasing the unity within the bloc and establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015, Vinh added.

Regarding the current tensions in the East Sea , Vinh appealed for global support to Vietnam to deal with the dispute by peaceful means and in line with international law, so that peace, security, safety and prosperity can be ensured in the region.

The Australian official also called on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and withhold from making aggressive acts. Both sides should take measures to de-escalate tension in the East Sea , she added.

Krivetz encouraged China and the ASEAN countries to make progress in building a code of conduct in the East Sea.
VNA/VNP


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