Lines, who is in Vietnam to attend the state funeral for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, made the affirmation in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter on July 25. Following is the full text of the interview.

Reporter: How do you evaluate the role and contributions by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to national construction and development, especially in Party building and rectification, and the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena?

Australian Senate President Sue Lines: Let me express on behalf of the Government and people of Australia our deepest sympathy over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and send our very sincere condolences to all of the people in Vietnam, particularly his family. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s legacy to peace and prosperity is highly regarded in the region and the world, and his legacy will continue.

The Secretary General will be remembered particularly for economic development, for his stance on moral rectitude, for his commitment to get rid of corruption, and for his concern and care for the people of Vietnam.

Reporter: How do you think about Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s theoretical and practical contributions to Vietnam’s "bamboo diplomacy”? 

Australian Senate President Sue Lines: He is regarded by many people across the world and he really did build those links between Vietnam and many other countries. In particular, bamboo diplomacy was his way of interacting with other countries and he will be remembered. I think it's evidenced by the number of delegations of countries that have come to Vietnam, along with Australia, to pay respect to the General Secretary and to acknowledge his passing and his contributions.

Reporter: How do you assess Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s role in promoting relations between Vietnam and Australia?

Australian Senate President Sue Lines: Well, the General Secretary was instrumental in our comprehensive strategic partnership, which we are very much looking forward to building on. I will be back in the country in August for a more formal visit and we will look to build on that partnership. Certainly, his diplomacy and his ability to bring people together was a key feature of Australia and Vietnam being able to achieve that very important comprehensive strategic partnership.

President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines leads the Australian delegationi to pay tribute to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on July 25. (Photo: VNA)

Australian Senate President Sue Lines: Certainly, his commitment to health and education, and his commitment to weeding out corruption have left a really impressive mark on the country. He is a revered leader both in Vietnam and across the world. I think the elements of the comprehensive strategic partnership include investment in digital, the green economy, climate change, they're all issues the world needs to be concerned about. And that is all thanks to the vision of the General Secretary.

He was a very successful and skillful international diplomat. But he was also a skillful negotiator in Vietnam. So he had both an internal focus on Vietnam, particularly on key areas like health and education. He was also a skillful global diplomat. Both features, I think, make him a standout General Secretary.

Reporter: Can you evaluate the legislative cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in recent times, and what are prospects for the collaboration?

Australian Senate President Sue Lines: At my meetings yesterday with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, both of them stressed the need for the parliaments to have greater understanding and exchange. Australia has demonstrated that we want to foster that cooperation too because we have had a number of visiting Vietnamese delegations, including the Prime Minister, and we're very much looking forward to future leaders coming to Australia and there are some leaders coming later this year. We will bring a delegation of Australian parliamentarians to Vietnam in August and we're very much looking forward to that. Our people to people exchange is our strength and building on that will be the parliamentary exchange. 

Reporter: Thank you very much!

Source: VNA