State President welcomes Australian FM

The State President proposed that Việt Nam and Australia take advantage of the free trade agreement between the latter, ASEAN and New Zealand to boost bilateral economic cooperation, especially in food safety and hygiene, natural resources and energy exploitation.

The Head of State urged both sides to complete targets for the Việt Nam- Australia Action Plan 2010- 2013 and prepare contents for the coming period.

State President Sang called on the donor country to continue its support for Việt Nam.

For his part, Australia FM hailed the two countries’ cooperation in public-private partnership (PPP), infrastructure construction, coping with climate change, education and training.

The same day, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and his Australian counterpart Minister Bob Carr held talks to discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two sides agreed to boost exchanges and mutual support both regionally and internationally and strengthen cooperation in coping with natural disasters and climate change.

FM Bob Carr reiterated that Australia considers Việt Nam as one of its key partners in the Asia-Pacific and its government will continue giving priority to Việt Nam in official development assistance.

For his part, FM Minh proposed an early signing of an agreement on working holiday program./.

By Kim Loan