Australian gov't to hold 1st bilateral talks with Vietnam

The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Monday he would hold the first bilateral talks with Vietnam this week when he travels to Hanoi. Smith's visit marks the 35th anniversary of the previous Whitlam government's establishment of diplomatic relations with the southeast Asian country. Trade between the two nations had doubled in the past five years and Vietnam was now a member of the World Trade Organization, Smith said at Perth, the state capital of Western Australia. "Australia and Vietnam have a good and growing and strong relationship," Australian Associated Press quoted Smith as saying. "As Vietnam plays a growing role in regional and international affairs, Australia's partnership with Vietnam in the region and internationally is growing," he added. Smith will also travel to Thailand for the first talks... [read full story]