Australian FM to visit Cambodia and Vietnam CANBERRA - Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer is to visit Cambodia and Vietnam later this month for discussions with officials on business, aid and development issues. Downer said he would hold wide-ranging discussions with senior Cambodian ministers, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and King Sihanouk. "My discussions will focus on the warm relations Australia shares with Cambodia, our ongoing commitment to the substantial bilateral development assistance program and the promotion of Australian commercial interests in Cambodia," he said in a statement. Downer said the highlight of his visit to Vietnam would be the official opening of the My Thuan Bridge, Australia's largest infrastucture aid project. The bridge links the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City. Downer said he would hold talks with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and the foreign minister. "Australia's relationship with Vietnam is economically, strategically and politically firm and close," he said. "More than 100 Australian companies are registered in Vietnam and total Australian investment in 1999 exceeded one billion (600 million US). "We have recently established defence relations with Vietnam and my visit coincides with the visit by the frigate HMAS Anzac to Ho Chi Minh City. Australia also looks forward to working even more closely with Vietnam on regional issues when it assumes the chair of ASEAN for the first time in July." Downer visits Cambodia from May 18-20 and Vietnam from May 20-22. AFP - May 12, 2000.