FM Minh receives former Australian diplomat
(VOV) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 14 received former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer who is on a visit to Vietnam for the “APEC in the 21st Century Asia-Pacific” Conference.
He also reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening the comprehensive partnership with Australia in the interests of the two countries’ people, as well as for the sake peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.
FM Minh also expressed his delight at the growing cooperation, particularly in politics, economics and education and training over the past years, noting that Australia is Vietnam’s major trading partner with two-way trade reaching US$5 billion in 2012.
He appreciated Australian ODA provision for Vietnam as well as the former Australian FM’s contribution to the two nations’ relationship when he was in office from 1996-2000.
For his part, former Australian FM Downer congratulated Minh on his new post as Deputy Prime Minister, believing that Minh will try his best to develop the friendship between Vietnam and Australian in the future.
He applauded positive developments in cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and pledged more efforts to foster the current fine relationship.
Downer said he hopes that Vietnam will have a successful conference this time, towards successfully hosting the APEC Year in 2017, which will help raise its international status.