VOV.VN - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has hailed outgoing Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick’s contributions to fostering bilateral ties across a variety of fields, including politics, diplomacy, economics, defence-security, e-government and personnel training.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick
(Photo: VNA)

At a reception in Hanoi on June 25 for the Australian diplomat who came to bid adieu before finishing his term, PM Phuc praised the guest's major activities during his three-year tenure in Vietnam which left a good impression with two-way trade soaring by nearly 17% each year. 

He hailed Australia’s provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, noting that it has been used effectively as a remarkable contribution to spurring national development. 

He underlined the need for both sides to take practical steps to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment, fully tap into multilateral agreements to which they are members, particularly within the framework of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and continue boosting education ties and people-to-people exchange, especially among young generations.

The Vietnamese government leader said he hopes that Australia will continue providing ODA for Vietnam, especially in key areas. 

On the occasion, he conveyed his invitation to Australian PM to visit Vietnam to examine ways to further deepen bilateral ties in the future.

Chittick, in turn, said he visited 35 cities and provinces during his tenure and was proud to partly contribute to Vietnam’s success. 

Regarding ODA provision, he said Australia will make adjustments to help Vietnam with e-government building and personnel training in the time ahead.