Australian FM Reaffirms Strong Relationship with Vietnam

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said on March 29 that Vietnam is emerging as one of Australia’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region, during a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh.

 

The ministers discussed a range of regional and multilateral issues including the South China Sea, the work of the East Asia Summit, positive changes underway in Burma and the ongoing value of the annual Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue. 

 

During his two-day official visit to Vietnam, one of three destinations in his first overseas visit since officially becoming Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Carr also held talks with President Truong Tan Sang and Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh.

 

He also visited the Temple of Literature and KOTO, a not-for-profit vocational training centre that receives regular volunteer assistance through Australian volunteer programs.

 

Bilateral ties between Australia and Vietnam continue to grow. Bilateral trade has increased by more than 10 per cent each year in the past decade, reaching over AUD 6 billion in 2011. Australia has a strong and long-standing investment presence in key Vietnamese industries and service sectors, including manufacturing, resources, finance, education and logistics.