Ms Bashir made the statement at a reception given by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in Hanoi on November 9.

She said she was happy to meet Mr Manh again in Hanoi during her visit to implement some of Australia’s Forever Study Fund projects in Vietnam.

She spoke highly of the results of Mr Manh’s recent visit to Australia, during which Vietnamese and Australian leaders agreed to raise the two countries’ relationship to the comprehensive partnership. She also congratulated Vietnam on its important achievements recorded in the Renewal process and global integration.

She affirmed that the Forever Study Fund will continue to provide assistance to Vietnam in the areas of education and community health through developing projects, training medical staff and increasing doctors’ research capacity.

For his part, Mr Manh acknowledged Ms Bashir’s contributions to bilateral cooperation in education and community health, especially through the governor-sponsored Forever Fund’s professional exchange and humanitarian projects. He expressed his belief that these projects will be successful, making a practical contribution to improving Vietnamese people’s health.

He said he hopes that the governor will continue to help promote the friendship and cooperation in not only health care, but also culture, education, economics and trade, between New South Wales and Vietnamese cities as well as between Australia and Vietnam.