PM Khai thanked the Australian Government for its official development assistance to Viet Nam. He also affirmed Viet Nam's continuing policy of giving more favourable conditions to Australian investors and businesses.

While discussing security and national defence issues, the two PMs agreed to boost the two countries' ties in preventing trans-national crime and international terrorism.

Regarding the regional issues, they brought up the ASEAN-Australia dialogue partnership, of which Viet Nam is co-ordinator. They committed to closer cooperation in order to lift ASEAN-Australia ties to a new height of development.

The Australian Government leader highlighted the importance of Australia in the region and expressed his deep wish to participate in the East Asian integration process, with the earliest event being the East Asian Summit.

On this issue, PM Khai reiterated the ASEAN members' mutual agreement principle and said that Viet Nam will support Australia's participation in the summit.

Host and guest agreed to work together to prepare for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits to be held in Viet Nam in 2006 and Australia in 2007.

Khai appreciated Australia's commitments to provide Viet Nam with technical assistance during its preparing process for the upcoming APEC summit. The two leaders also agreed to boost bilateral negotiations on Viet Nam's bid to join the WTO so it could apply as soon as possible.

The talks took place in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, reflective of the fine relationship between the two countries.

The Viet Nam-Australia summit wrapped up with an agreement on the issuance of a joint communique emphasising the rapid growth and power of bilateral relations, which the two leaders agreed should continue to develop in the interest of the two nations and for peace, stability and cooperation in the Asian-Pacific region.

Vietnamese Minister, Director of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao, Education and Training Minister Nguyen Minh Hien, and Deputy Trade Minister Phan The Rue attended the talks.

Prime Minister Khai also met with Opposition leader Kim Beazley, who confirmed his advocacy for the Australian Government's policy to further support Viet Nam's bid to join the WTO as soon as possible.

Both described Australia's decision in 1973 by the then Labour Party Government to set up diplomatic relations with Viet Nam as the foundation for the recent fine development of the two countries' ties.

Ministers and deputy ministers of Viet Nam held separate working sessions with Australian partners to devise concrete measures for stronger relations.

* Australia and Viet Nam should cooperate in fighting criminals, epidemics and illegal immigration, said Australian Prime Minister John Howard while hosting a banquet in honour of his visiting Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Khai on May 5.

PM John Howard said that the relationship between the two countries has been strengthened by the more than 200,000 Vietnamese nationals living in Australia, the 100,000 Australians who visit Viet Nam each year, and by the fact that Australia is the 4th largest importer of Viet Nam.

The Australian Government will send an expert delegation to help Viet Nam successfully host the 2006 APEC Summit as the two countries are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), said the Australian PM.

PM John Howard spoke highly of Viet Nam's support for Australia's participation in the East Asia Summit. He said he believed that the PM's visit will help bring the bilateral cooperative relationship to a new height of development.

The two countries should prepare a stronger and more comprehensive cooperation for the future, the Australian PM said.

Leader of the Opposition at the Australian Parliament Kim Beazley stressed that over the past six years Viet Nam has recorded outstanding achievements, with an economic growth rate ranked second in the world. Viet Nam's economic strength has doubled in 10 years while the number of poor households has been halved. These not only benefit Viet Nam but also Australia. Viet Nam's efforts to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) reflect the country's new strength.

The Vietnamese community in Australia has made great contributions to Australia's political and economic life, Kim Beazley said, adding that they will contribute to the two countries' future cooperation.

In reply, PM Khai expressed his joy at revisiting Australia and thanked the Australian PM, Government and people for their hospitality. He said that both being located in the Asian-Pacific region, Viet Nam and Australia should expand their friendship and cooperation in many fields to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.

The bilateral relationship has seen strong steps of development in the recent past, especially in the fields of politics, economy, trade, investment, official development assistance, culture, education and training, Khai said.

He added that the two countries have also seen strong developments in multi-lateral cooperation. As a coordinator of ASEAN-Australia relations, Viet Nam has supported Australia, a country which has long cooperated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in the country's efforts to integrate into Southeast Asia.

He praised Australia's continued support for Viet Nam's bilateral negotiations to obtain a WTO membership. He said he hoped the current visit would create a new driving force to promote the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the interests of the two peoples./.