Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening itstraditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Austria, said Ministerof Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on June 1.
Son made the statement during his phone talks with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs ofthe Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.
As Vietnam and Austria are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomaticrelations in 2022, the two sides expressed their pleasure with the positivedevelopments in the bilateral relationship, with delegation exchanges andhigh-level meetings continuously maintained.
Currently, Austria is among the 10 largest trading partners of Vietnam in theEuropean Union (EU) with two-way trade turnover in 2021 reaching nearly 3.5billion USD. Bilateral connections in science - technology, culture and developmentcooperation between the two countries continue to record positive progress.
In order to make the Vietnam-Austria cooperation more dynamic,practical and effective in the coming time, Son and Schallenberg agreed tomaintain delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, and coordinate inorganising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The two sides will strengthen trade-investment promotion activities, and expandcooperation in fields of Austria’s strengths and Vietnam’s needs such asrenewable energy, climate change response, waste treatment and processingindustry.
Theyalso agreed to closely coordinate to successfully organise the upcoming sessionof the Vietnam-Austria Joint Committee on Economic-Trade Cooperation, whiletaking advantage of opportunities and benefits brought by the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA).
Minister Son suggested that the Austrian Government raise a voice to urge theAustrian Parliament to early ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement(EVIPA).
The two sides affirmed to continue to work closely and supporteach other at multilateral forums and organisations such as the United Nations,the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and ASEAN-EU./.
VNA
