Viet Nam, Australia hold fourth Foreign Ministerial Meeting
VGP - Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra co-chaired the fourth Viet Nam-Australia Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Canberra, Australia, on September 12 as part of his three-day official visit to Australia.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra co-chair the fourth Viet Nam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Canberra, Australia, September 12, 2022 - Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Vietnamese FM suggested Australia maintain and increase official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam in new sectors and facilitate Viet Nam's farm products to enter Australia, firstly passion fruit, pomelo and raw shrimp, thus balancing the two-way trade value.
For her part, Wong pledged to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to promote investment and expand operation in Australia as well as foster win-win cooperation in such areas as agriculture, clean energy and ODA.
Australia highly values the comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN and the central role of ASEAN in the region, she emphasized, committing to fostering cooperation for the sustainable development of the sub-Mekong region within the framework of the Mekong-Australia Partnership.
Both diplomats expressed their determination to promote the strategic partnership between the two countries on the basis of good and long-term friendship and cooperation.
Trade and investment ties are in the spotlight in the bilateral relationship, they noted, adding that the two-way trade value hit US$9.6 billion over the first seven months of 2022, a year-on-year surge of 40 percent.
They discussed measures to further accelerate strategic partnership, including organizing visits at all levels and celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year as well as bolstering bilateral economic-trade-investment ties.
Regarding labor cooperation, both sides will revise the Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture Visa program in accordance with the new situation.
They vowed to enhance coordination in new sectors including climate change, digital transformation, digital economy, energy security, food security and human resource training for localities.
They also compared notes on regional and international issues of common concerns, consenting to strengthen collaboration and mutual support at multi-lateral organizations and forums, particularly ASEAN and the UN.
The two FMs agreed to enhance maritime cooperation, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the East Sea.
