Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is very proud to have a friendand a partner like Australia, President Tran Dai Quang said at a banquet inhonour of Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove and his spouse in Hanoion May 24.

The Governor-General of Australia and his spouseare paying a State visit to Vietnam from May 23 to 26 on the occasion of the45th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

At the banquet following an official welcomeceremony, President Quang said weathering many difficulties and challenges,bilateral relations have grown steadier and stronger than ever. The year 2018has witnessed many important events in Vietnam-Australia relations, includingthe elevation of their ties to a strategic partnership last March.

Reviewing the outcomes in bilateral connections,he noted with satisfaction the increasingly strengthened mutual understandingand political trust between the two countries’ leaders and people.

He voiced his belief that the visit by theGovernor-General will be successful, thus helping foster the Vietnam-Australiastrategic partnership, bringing more practical benefits for the countries’people and contributing to regional peace, stability, cooperation anddevelopment.

In his speech, Governor-General Cosgroveexpressed his delight at his first visit to Vietnam, adding that the trip amidthe 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties is also an occasion for thetwo countries to move towards new frameworks in their strategic partnership.

[Photos: Official welcome ♉ceremony for Austra♊lia's Governor-General]

He affirmed that Australia is also proud to havea close friend and partner like Vietnam to join hands for the sake of peace andprosperity in the two countries, as well as in the region and the world.

Vietnamese and Australian scientists andresearchers are cooperating to apply their research findings to life.Servicemen and servicewomen of the countries are working together to preparefor Vietnam’s first deployment of military officers to the UN peacekeepingmission in South Sudan. Meanwhile, their businesses are boosting partnershipsin new spheres such as renewable energy and agriculture, he noted.

The visiting leader said bilateral connectionswill further develop in both depth and width in the time ahead, and theselinkages will be a solid foundation for the two countries to build a brighterfuture.

Also on May 24 morning, Governor-GeneralCosgrove laid a wreath at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs and paid tribute toPresident Ho Chi Minh at the Vietnamese late leader’s mausoleum in Hanoi.

Vietnam and Australia officially set up thediplomatic relationship on February 26, 1973. Over the last 45 years, they havebuilt strong relations, especially since the establishment of a comprehensivepartnership in 2009 and the signing of a declaration on an enhancedcomprehensive partnership in March 2015. In March 2018, the countries elevatedtheir ties to the strategic partnership.-VNA