Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 16 for newly-appointed Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird, expressing his belief that her tenure would fu✃rther adv𒆙ance the Vietnam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Son described Australia as one of Vietnam’s most trusted and important partners in the region, with high level of political trust and shared strategic vision on key issues. He welcomed the strong, substantive growth of bilateral relations, particularly as Vietnam pursues its four strategic breakthroughs under recently-adopted reform resolutions, which include administrative streamlining, technological innovation, digital transformation, and private sector development. He expressed his hope that Australia would continue to support Vietnam’s development goals through practical collaboration. He urged the Ambassador to actively maintain the momentum of bilateral engagement, especially through continued high-level delegation exchanges, inter-agency cooperation, and locality-to-locality connections. He called for regular reviews of the delivery of key commitments, including the 2024–2027 Action Plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The host highlighted robust cooperation in national defence-security, especially joint efforts in United Nations peacekeeping, and suggested expanding collaboration in areas like transnational crime prevention and civil registration data management. Economically, he pointed to the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy as a cornerstone of trade ties, urging both nations to expand market access, leverage free trade agreements, aim for a two-way trade target of 20 billion USD, uphold a rules-based free trade system and ensure supply chains. Expressing gratitude for Australia’s support in climate change adaptation, Son sought continued assistance for Vietnam’s energy transition and net-zero emissions goal by 2050. He also called for greater educational cooperation, urging Australia to facilitate access for Vietnamese students to study and conduct research, thus strengthening people-to-people ties. Ambassador Bird, in reply, affirmed Australia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, saying that Vietnam’s success is also Australia’s own. Vietnam is always a reliable and valued partner of Australia, she said, pledging to translate high-level commitments into tangible projects and collaborate closely with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities. She also committed to preparing for upcoming high-level visits. On global and regional issues, Son praised Australia’s active role and contributions to Southeast Asia, particularly on matters concerning the East Sea, and encouraged stronger engagement with Mekong sub-region countries to support sustainable development. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to international law and agreed to foster peace, stability, and cooperation regionally and globally. On the occasion, Son reiterated the invitation to Australian leaders to attend the signing of the United Nations convention against cybercrime in Hanoi in this October./.