Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz examine honor guard on October 15, 2018.

The statement focused on the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries in resolving global issues such as climate change and cyber security. At their talk, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed on the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and support for the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement. PM Phuc reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of economic reform and international integration to ensure the implementation of international commitments. The two promised to promote bilateral cooperation at international forums and organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and the World Trade Organization.

Vietnam and Austria are committed to protecting human rights, reducing inequality, and promoting renovation, prosperity and sustainable development. The two leaders pledged to maintain peace, security, and stability for cooperation and development and ensure security and freedom of navigation and aviation as well as settling differences and disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures in line with international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).