Minister Bui Thanh Son congratulated the Indian Government and Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar personally on their recent foreign affairs achievements, and appreciated India's support for ASEAN in maintaining solidarity and its central role.

The two ministers highly appreciated the strong developments in the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in economics and trade. The two sides agreed to coordinate and carefully organize high-level delegation exchanges and effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms such as the 18th Joint Committee.

Minister Bui Thanh Son and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Discussing cooperation in specific areas, the two ministers were pleased with recent developments in the relationship, especially in economic, trade and connectivity cooperation. To further strengthen economic and trade cooperation, the two ministers agreed to work with ASEAN countries to review the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed that the two countries consider promoting negotiations on a bilateral economic and trade agreement. The Minister also asked India to encourage large corporations to increase investment and expand business activities in Vietnam, especially in the fields of high-quality infrastructure development, oil and gas, and renewable energy.

At the following meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong thanked Vietnam for its thoughtful and respectful reception of the Governor-General and Prime Minister of Australia, and highly appreciated the practical results of these visits. The two sides agreed to make good preparations for the exchange of high-level delegations.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral relations. On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked the Australian Government for increasing ODA to Vietnam to AUD 95.1 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Minister Penny Wong agreed to promote cooperation projects, including capacity building for Vietnamese foreign affairs officials.

Discussing the regional and international situation, Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed Australia's support for ASEAN's solidarity and central role for regional stability and support for ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea.

On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son invited Foreign Minister Penny Wong to soon visit Vietnam and co-chair the 5th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

News and photos: VNA