Australia regards Viet Nam a crucial partner in ASEAN: Australian PM

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made that statement while hosting a reception for Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Canberra, Australia on September 12. 

Albanese highlighted the significance of the Vietnamese diplomat's official visit to Australia, along with Australian FM Penny Wong's official visit to Viet Nam in recent June, which created a new impetus and made contributions to promoting Viet Nam-Australia strategic partnership. 

He commended on Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements and increasing role and status in the region.  

Albanese asked Viet Nam to uphold its role in ASEAN to bolster Australia-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.    

For his side, Bui thanked the Australian Government for donating 22.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and medical supplies to help Viet Nam fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The diplomat expressed delight on the fruitful and comprehensive development in the strategic partnership, particularly the two-way trade value exceeding US$12.4 billion in 2021. 

He suggested the Australian Government and the Prime Minister continue fostering cooperative relations with Viet Nam, especially in new sectors such as new energy and climate change adaption and assisting Viet Nam in realizing its commitments made at the COP26. 

Bui said the two sides should actively prepare for organizing activities to mark the 50^th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, including high-level visits, culture and tourism activities and people-to-people exchanges.