At a meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son had separate meetings with Indian Minister of External Affairs SubrahmanyamJaishankar and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on theoccasion of their attendance at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-56) inJakarta, Indonesia on July 12.
Meeting Minister Jaishankar, Son hailedIndia for supporting ASEAN in maintaining its solidarity and central role
The two ministers spoke highly of thestrong developments in the bilateral traditional friendship and comprehensivestrategic partnership, especially in economy-trade. They agreed to thoroughlyprepare for the exchange of delegations at high level and effectively deployexisting cooperation mechanisms such as the 18th Joint Committee Meeting.
In order to further reinforce economicand trade collaboration, they pledged to work with ASEAN member states toreview the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
On the occasion, Son suggested that bothcountries consider advancing bilateral economic and trade agreementnegotiations. He also proposed India encourage big corporations to increaseinvestments and expand operations in Vietnam, particularly in high-qualityinfrastructure development, petroleum and renewable energy.
At a meeting with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (L) (Photo: VNA)
At their meeting, Minister Son and Australian Minister Wong promised to make thorough preparations for mutual high-level visits.
The Vietnamese minister thanked theAustralian Government for increasing official development assistance (ODA) toVietnam to 95.1 million AUD for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Wong agreed to step up joint projects,including improving the capacity of Vietnam's foreign affairs officials.
On globaland regional issues, Wong reiterated Australia's support forASEAN's solidarity and central role in regional stability, as well as ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea issue.
Sontook the occasion to invite Wong to visit Vietnam again soon and co-chair thefifth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting./.
