Vietnamese FM Holds Bilateral Meetings at ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
Melbourne, The Gulf Observer: Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn engaged in a productive meeting with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on March 5, as part of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations in Melbourne.
During the meeting, Minister Sơn expressed gratitude to the Australian official for collaborative efforts in preparing for Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s upcoming official visit to Australia, conveying confidence in the summit’s success.
Minister Sơn conveyed his satisfaction with the recent advancements in bilateral relations and the cooperative efforts between the two foreign ministries. He proposed close coordination to implement support packages totaling nearly AUD200 million (US$130 million) for clean energy development and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta region. This initiative was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister Wong during their recent visits to Việt Nam.
In response, Minister Wong expressed appreciation for the support and participation of the Vietnamese Government and Minister Sơn in the Summit. She commended the substantial activities held by the two countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in the previous year. Minister Wong also extended an invitation for Minister Sơn to visit Australia again and co-chair the 6th Vietnam-Australia foreign ministerial meeting.
On the same day, Minister Sơn held discussions with Simon Birmingham, responsible for foreign affairs of the Opposition in the Senate of Australia. He praised Australia’s efforts in maintaining economic and social stability and addressing global economic uncertainties.
Minister Sơn lauded Birmingham’s contributions to promoting Vietnam-Australia cooperation in various capacities, including overseeing foreign affairs for the opposition party and holding key ministerial positions during the Coalition Government.
Birmingham emphasized Australia’s commitment to its relations with Việt Nam, considering the country a key partner in the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted recent achievements in political, economic, trade, investment, and defense-security cooperation, expressing his continued support for the Vietnam-Australia relationship regardless of his position.
In a separate meeting, Nicholas Moore, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, underscored Australia’s high regard for cooperation potential with Vietnam, particularly in economics, trade, and investment. He emphasized Vietnam’s pivotal role in the implementation of Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and expressed a strong desire to deepen collaboration in these areas.
