The relationship between Australia and Vietnam will continue to deepen and prosper in the Year of the Tiger, 2010, said Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
In a New Year Message to Vietnamese people, Minister Smith confirmed that the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, signed in September 2009, has elevated bilateral relations to a new level.
Vietnam has been the Australia’s fastest growing trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past five years, the minister said, adding that the bilateral economic relationship will continue to grow as Vietnam continues its economic reform process.
He said that Australia welcomes Vietnam as the new Chair of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit in 2010 and looks forward to continuing the two countries’ close cooperation on regional issues.
According to Minister Smith, the warm and extensive people-to -people relationships would underpin bilateral ties between Vietnam and Australia, the home to approximately 188,000 overseas Vietnamese and more than 24,000 Vietnamese students in 2009.
Tourism is also an important element in relationship between the two nations with over 210,000 Australians visiting Vietnam last year, he said.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the Australian minister extended his wishes of health, happiness, success and prosperity to all Vietnamese people. He also highlighted that the 1,000th anniversary of the capital city of Hanoi in 2010 will be a special year for Vietnamese in Australia and worldwide./.
In a New Year Message to Vietnamese people, Minister Smith confirmed that the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, signed in September 2009, has elevated bilateral relations to a new level.
Vietnam has been the Australia’s fastest growing trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past five years, the minister said, adding that the bilateral economic relationship will continue to grow as Vietnam continues its economic reform process.
He said that Australia welcomes Vietnam as the new Chair of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit in 2010 and looks forward to continuing the two countries’ close cooperation on regional issues.
According to Minister Smith, the warm and extensive people-to -people relationships would underpin bilateral ties between Vietnam and Australia, the home to approximately 188,000 overseas Vietnamese and more than 24,000 Vietnamese students in 2009.
Tourism is also an important element in relationship between the two nations with over 210,000 Australians visiting Vietnam last year, he said.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the Australian minister extended his wishes of health, happiness, success and prosperity to all Vietnamese people. He also highlighted that the 1,000th anniversary of the capital city of Hanoi in 2010 will be a special year for Vietnamese in Australia and worldwide./.
