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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MP
REMARKS AT DINNER IN HONOUR OF PRIME MINISTER VO VAN ICIET
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, 27 MAY 1993
Embargo 8.30 pm
Prime Minister, on behalf of the Australian Government
and people it is my pleasure to welcome you on this
historic visit.
Our two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations for
twenty years, but this is the first time a head of
government from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has
come to Australia.
Let me say you are very welcome.
Those twenty years have seen the growth of cooperation
and understanding on a broad range of issues, both
bilateral and multilateral.
In the past few years we have seen frequent ministerial
and official-level visits, cultural and scientific
exchanges, and the implementation of a number of
development assistance programs in education, health and
resources. In recent years our commercial relations have begun to
grow strongly.
Between 1990 and 1992 two-way trade has grown from
$ 42 million to $ 252 million.
Representati-ves-of a -number -of.-Australian companies
operating in Vietnam have joined us for dinner this
evening. We are delighted that BHP will play a major role in the
Dai Hung oilfield project.
Other Australian companies are actively involved in areas
such as coal processing, telecommunications and banking. Q00 2/ 005
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We can look with great confidence to the future of our
relationship. This morning we witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding on Development Cooperation covering a total
of $ 100 million economic assistance over a four-year
period. This should be taken as another manifestation of our
friendship and maturing relationship.
Prime Minister, when we reflect on the history of the
Australia-Vietnam relationship, we see proof of our
capacity to change.
Proof that we can let old wounds heal, so that future
generations will not inherit them and pay the price of
past animosities.
The war which so ravaged Vietnam also left an indelible
mark on this country.
Today, in Australia, we do not debate the rights and
wrongs of our engagement in Vietnam so much as the ways
in which those who fought there, and the families of
those who died there, can be compensated and assisted.
Prime Minister, the Asia-Pacific region now faces a very
promising future.
Your country has embarked on a program to reform and open
up the Vietnamese economy to the outside world.
So, in quite fundamental ways, have we.
As a result, we now find a great many complementary
interests and considerable scope for expanding our
commercial relationship.
In our discussions this morning, I explained that,
although Australia is a medium-sized economy, we have in
many industrial sectors technologies of world-class
standard. Australian companies are well placed to help Vietnam's
development in sectors such as transportation,
telecommunications, infrastructure, minerals and energy,
woollen textiles and services.
I was glad that today we were also able to witness the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral air
services. I am confident we will soon be in a position to establish
regular air services.
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Direct scheduled flights between Vietnam and Australia
will assist business and tourist links, and help develop
contact between our two peoples, not least, Vietnamese
Australians and their families in Vietnam.
Prime Minister, as you are aware Australia is now home to
135,000 people of Vietnamese origin.
Vietnamese Australians have already made a very
considerable contribution to our national life.
In the multicultural environment of this country, they
have built strong and purposeful communities, and
participate increasingly in our political life.
We believe that in due course the Vietnamese community in
Australia will become one of the main conduits of our
relationship with Vietnam.
I appreciated very much the frank and constructive
discussion we had this morning about the Vietnamese
community in Australia.
I-warmly welcome your commitment towards reconciliation
with our local Vietnamese community and your willingness
to receive an Australian delegation to learn more at
first hand about human rights and other conditions in
Vietnam. This gesture is greatly appreciated by the Australian
Government and public.
For our part, let me say that the Australian Government
will do all in its power to encourage more harmonious and
constructive relations between Vietnam and the Vietnamese
community in Australia.
Prime Minister, the timing of your visit to Australia is
auspicious In that it coincides with the heartening news
we have received this week about the high turn-out of
voters in the United Nations-sponsored elections in
Cambodia. Both Vietnam and Australia played important roles in the
preceding Cambodia peace process.
We share an earnest hope that the long-suffering people
of Cambodia might finally be able to enjoy peace and a
better -way -of -1ife.
Prime Minister, we should like your visit to Australia to
define a new phase in Australia-Vietnam relations.
Not only are both sides keen to expand our bilateral
commercial relations, but we recognise the scope for
fruitful cooperation between our countries in the wider
Asia-Pacific region. IA 0041000
02/ 06 ' 93 09: 07' OS 273 2923
I am also sure that the human links between our countries
will become a vital source of strength to us both.
I believe we have every reason for confidence that our
relationship will flourish and endure.
I should now like to invite the Leader of the Opposition
to join me in welcoming you to Australia.
CANBERRA 27 May 1993 PM PRESS OFFICE I005/ 005