Sydney (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc had meetings with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and GovernorDavid Hurley of New South Wales on March 16 immediately after he arrived inSydney, continuing his official visit to Australia.

At the meetings, the PM said he isimpressed by the prosperous development of Sydney and New South Wales in general,and congratulated the state on its locomotive position in Australia’s economy,contributing more than 30 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP).

New South Wales is also an attractivedestination of tourists worldwide, including those from Vietnam, he added.

The leader noted his hope that with itsstrength in industry, agriculture, finance and services, the state will enhancecooperation with Vietnam, especially in such pillar areas as trade, investment,education, science-technology, and tourism, while expanding collaboration withVietnamese localities, helping deepen the freshly-established Vietnam-Australiastrategic partnership in a more pragmatic fashion, for the sake of the twocountries’ people.

In reply, Gladys Berejiklian expressedher impression on Vietnam’s development achievements, particularly in economy.

She applauded the affiliation betweenVietnam and New South Wales as well as Sydney, stressing that the strategicpartnership will offer more opportunities for the two sides to expandcooperation across fields, including training and vocational education.

Sydney is carrying out a four-year projectworth 80 billion AUD (62.4 billion USD) to upgrade its infrastructure, aimingto attract more foreign tourists and students, and seek cooperationopportunities with Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, she said.

The Premier welcomed Radio The Voice ofVietnam (VOV)’s plan to open its representative office in Sydney, pledging tofacilitate its operation.

For his part, David Hurley said as Chiefof the Australian Defence Force during 2011-2014, he supported the enhancementof cooperation between Australia and Vietnam in national defence and securitythrough diverse forms.

He told PM Phuc said Australia has sentmany students to take part in exchange programmes in Vietnam under the NewColombo Plan.

Both the Premier and Governor laudedcontributions of the Vietnamese community to the state, describing them as afirm foundation for the friendship and bond between the two countries’ people.

Governor David Hurley and his spousethen took PM Phuc and his spouse on a tour around the Government House, aspecial gesture given to their guests.

Later the same day, PM Phuc met withMarie Bashir, former Premier of New South Wales, during which he highly valuedthe former Premier’s contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development,especially in education, health care and public health through the “ForeverLearning Fund” sponsored by the former Premier, as well as to theVietnam-Australia relationship.

The leader expressed his hope that MarieBashir, in any position, will continue to raise her voice to encourage andfoster cooperation between Vietnam and New South Wales and Australia at large.

Vietnamese people wish to welcome theformer Premier to visit Vietnam at any time, he said.

Marie Bashir promised that she will doher utmost to contribute to enhancing the friendship and strategic partnershipbetween Vietnam and Australia.

She noted her belief that Vietnam andAustralia will further intensify their role and position and make constructivecontributions to the Asia-Pacific region.-VNA