The government leader, speaking at a reception for Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, suggested that both sides conduct more visits to bolster cooperation, particularly in fields such as economics, trade, investment and tourism.

He also expressed his hope that Australia would continue to provide assistance to Viet Nam for infrastructure building, education and training as well as create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country.

Dung asked for deeper collaboration with defence and security initiatives and to accelerate the completion of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations.

He suggested that Australia continues to support the ASEAN in the implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and in forming a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), along with ensuring maritime security and safety in these waters.

For her part, Julie Bishop said Australia considered its relations with Viet Nam to be of great importance, as demonstrated by her visit to the country immediately following her appointment to the post of foreign minister.

She noted that the two sides had discussed concrete measures to step up bilateral ties, especially in trade and investment, which stood at US$7 billion in 2013, and in energy and mineral exploitation.

The guest added that her government will increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and create the best conditions for their studies in Australia.

Confirming support for the maintenance of maritime security and safety in the East Sea, Bishop claimed Australia hopes to promote the affiliation with Viet Nam in the area of security and defence, especially with regard to transnational crime prevention.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the Australian Foreign Minister also held talks on that day.

They agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations and conclude the action programme for 2014-16 early in order to promote and expand cooperation in politics, security, defence, and trade, as well as investment, development assistance, education/training, and tourism. Cooperation with labour initiatives is also part of the programme.

Both sides also discussed international and regional issues of common concern and affirmed they will support each other at regional and international forums such as the East Asian Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, as well as in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and within the framework of the United Nations.

They agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea; ensuring maritime freedom, safety, and security; implementing the DOC; and forming the COC.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has proposed that Viet Nam and Kyrgyzstan promptly sign economic agreements to create a legal foundation for stepping up their trade-investment relations.

The government leader made the proposal during a meeting with Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Abdyldaev Erlan Bekeshovich in Ha Noi yesterday.

Dung said Viet Nam had attached importance to co-operation with Kyrgyzstan and proposed that the two sides strengthen their mutual support at international forums and step up discussions to enhance their partnership in education and culture.

Viet Nam and Kyrgyzstan should establish joint ventures in production to boost exports to the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, he stated.

The Kyrgyzstan foreign minister informed Dung of the outcome of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

He pointed out that his country wished to accelerate collaboration with Viet Nam in light industry, garments, textiles making and mining. He proposed that the two nations sign economic pacts soon.

He told his host that Kyrgyzstan, like Viet Nam, was moving toward joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, noting that this was an opportunity for the two sides to strengthen ties in economics, trade and investment.

At the talks between Deputy PM Minh and visiting Minister Bekeshovich earlier in the day, both sides provided updates on the socio-economic situation in their respective countries.

Bekeshovich said his government considered Viet Nam to be one of its most important partners in Southeast Asia and hoped to further develop their bilateral friendship and cooperation.

Minh and his guest agreed to step up delegation exchanges at all levels. Bekeshovich delivered a letter from Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambaev, inviting his counterpart Truong Tan Sang and Deputy Prime Minister Minh to visit the country.

Both sides also discussed a number of measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields as well as ways to enhance working together at multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

They agreed to hasten negotiations for agreements on economics, trade, investment and finance to create a legal foundation for a stronger and wide-ranging connection in the economic, cultural, sports, tourism and education sectors between the two nations.

After the talks, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on co-operation between the two foreign ministries.

As part of his working visit on February 17-20, the visiting minister also met with Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs Tran Van Hang and Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.