FM holds phone conversations with Australian, Serbian counterparts

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son

The delivery is the first installment towards Australia’s commitment of 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses to be share with Viet Nam this year.

A part from the committed vaccines, Payne told Bui that she would continue working with relevant ministries and agencies to provide Viet Nam with essential medical equipment and supplies including ventilators and protective equipment.

Bui, who is head of the Government's working group on COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy, appreciated and expressed sincere thanks for the Australian Government’s valuable and timely assistance for Viet Nam, saying the Southeast Asian country is making every effort to acquire more vaccines, medical equipment and drugs and ready to repurchase vaccines from other countries to speed up vaccination rollout.

The two ministers showed their delight at the strong advancement of the Viet Nam-Australia strategic partnership and discussed ways to foster the bilateral ties in the time ahead. They agreed to maintain contacts at all levels and existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

The two sides agreed to soon complete negotiations towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two foreign ministries and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to finalize an economic cooperation strategy between the two countries.

The ministers also agreed to consider mutual recognition of vaccine passports to facilitate travel between the two countries.

Bui took the occasion to suggest Australia create favorable conditions for Vietnamese students to go back to Australia and consider signing an agreement under which Vietnamese workers can join Australia’s new agriculture visa scheme.

The same day, Bui also held phone talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic during which the latter announced that the Government of Serbia has decided to donated vaccines and medical equipment to Viet Nam.

Bui expressed sincere thanks to the Government and people of Serbia for the valuable gifts and suggested the Serbian side to consider sharing its idle vaccines with Viet Nam./.

By Huong Giang