Vietnam, Australia aim to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership
(VOVWORLD) -Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who is in Vietnam for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang city on Wednesday.
Both sides agreed to continue maintaining close consultation and trust between the two foreign ministries, coordinating closely in preparing for high-level visits to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2018, aiming to soon lift up the two countries’ relationship to a strategic partnership. Bishop affirmed that Vietnam plays an important part in Australia’s foreign policies, adding that her country hopes to foster the practical, effective and in-depth partnership with Vietnam in all fields. On the occasion, Minh and Bishop attended the signing ceremony of an agreement implementing a 37 million AUD project to promote gender equality in Lao Cai and Son La provinces using non-refundable ODA from Australia, aiming to assist local women in agricultural production and tourism development.