Australia, Malaysia and Philippines are Important Partners, FM Says

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

The newly appointed minister stressed the point during his online conversations with Australian FM Marise Payne, Malaysian FM Hishammuddin Hussein and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr on April 14.

He expressed his satisfaction with positive development steps in Viet Nam’s strategic partnerships with the three countries in recent years.

During the talks, the Australian, Malaysian and Philippine ministers congratulated Viet Nam on its effective COVID-19 control and outstanding socio-economic achievements, as well as its success in external affairs when the country served as ASEAN Chair 2020 and is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure

They agreed to closely coordinate to further enhance relations with Viet Nam across all spheres, with focus on promoting delegation exchanges when conditions allow, stepping up high-level and all-level meetings in flexible forms, effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and agreements, strengthening and deepening security-defence collaboration, and continuing to support each other in agricultural-aquatic product exports, trade, investment and ODA cooperation.

The ministers also reached consensus on continuing to coordinate closely at multilateral forums and in regional and international issues of shared concern.

By Vien Nhu