Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received outgoing Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski in Hanoi on December 24.
During the reception, Son congratulated and appreciated the outstanding contributions by the ambassador during his tenure, particularly in upgrading the Vietnam - Australia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Son spoke highly of Goledzinowski's active coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and other ministries and sectors of Vietnam to successfully arrange high-level visits by the two countries' leaders, organise many meaningful events celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (1973 - 2023), strongly promote cooperation in various fields, and enhance exchanges between the peoples and localities of the countries.
The Deputy PM and FM suggested that both sides increase information sharing and consultation through bilateral dialogue mechanisms and at multilateral forums. He also asked for active implementation of the action plan for the 2024 - 2027 period, focusing on boosting links in trade - investment, education, and labour, and expanding collaboration in new areas such as digital transformation, energy, and green growth.
He called on Australia to continue to support human resources training for Vietnam, and help the latter enhance its capabilities in emerging industries such as semiconductor and artificial intelligence.
For his part, Goledzinowski thanked the MoFA and the Deputy PM and FM for their very effective support, which has helped him fulfill his duties.
The ambassador emphasised that Vietnam is an important partner and one of the top priorities of Australia in the region. Both the Australian Government and himself view the prosperity and development of Vietnam as central to the prosperity and development of the region.
The Australian Government will continue to pay attention to and reserve many resources to assist Vietnam as well as foster the two countries' relations, he affirmed.
Goledzinowski expressed admiration for Vietnam's achievements in national construction and development, along with its foreign policy accomplishments, especially on the threshold of a new era which, he said, is also the time for bilateral relations to enter a new phase with breakthroughs in many fields of cooperation such as defence, security, education, connectivity, essential minerals, and digital transformation.
The diplomat pledged to sustain efforts, regardless of positions he will hold, to help promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia./.
