At a meeting with South African Ambassador MpetjaneKgaogelo Lekgoro, President Quang expressed his hope that the diplomat willmake constructive contributions to the friendship between Vietnam and SouthAfrica.
The leader used the occasion to extend hiscongratulations to South Africa on the successful organisation of thepresidential election, and Cyril Ramaphosa on his win in the election.
The host said he believes that under the leadership ofPresident Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC), the SouthAfrican Government and people will reap more achievements in nationalconstruction and development.
Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship,and the “partnership for cooperation and development” with South Africa,President Quang stressed.
He suggested the two countries join hands inorganising pragmatic activities marking the 25th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic ties and the 100th birth anniversary ofPresident Nelson Mandela in 2018, and soon organise the fourth Vietnam-SouthAfrica Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum in Pretoria.
The President stressed that Vietnam highly valuesSouth Africa’s role as an economic locomotive in Africa as well as its role andinfluence in multilateral organisations and forums like the UN, the AfricanAlliance, the Non-Aligned Movement, the group of 20 developing nations (G20),the group of emerging economies which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, Chinaand South Africa (BRICS), and the South African Development Community.
He also praised South Africa’s efforts to promotepeace and cooperation in the region and the world at large.
Mentioning trade cooperation between the twocountries, President Quang urged the ambassador to pay attention to promotingbilateral economic, trade and investment ties, and affiliation in mining,education, tourism, natural resources and environment, culture andpeople-to-people exchange.
In reply, the South African ambassador pledged that hewill make all-out efforts to maintain and enhance the bilateral relationship,heeding the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.
Noting Vietnam’s important role and position in the internationalarena, the diplomat said South Africa pays due attention to stepping upcooperation with Vietnam at multilateral forums and internationalorganisations.
At the reception for Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Hassan Neyel, President Quangexpressed his belief that with his experience and pro-activeness, the diplomatwill have significant contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Egypt ties.
President Quang conveyed his greetings to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel FattahAh Sisi while recalling good memories of Abdel Fattah Ah Sisi’s visit toVietnam in 2017. He hoped that Egypt will have a successful election in March,2018, a significant event in the northeast Asian nation.
Speaking highly of the bilateral cooperation at multilateral and internationalforums, he thanked Egypt for supporting Vietnam’s candidacies for the UnitedNations (UN)’ agencies, particularly the country had a diplomatic notesendorsing Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Councilfor the 2020-2021 tenure.
Regarding the bilateral ties, President Quang wished that Mahmoud Hassan Neyelwill work to boost delegation exchanges to fortify friendship and mutualunderstanding.
Also, he recommended the Egyptian Ambassador work to increase two-way tradevalue to 1 billion USD as set by leaders from both sides, hoping that Egyptwill help Vietnam build a set of Halal food standards used in the country,laying a foundation for exports to the Muslim markets.
Cooperation should be deepened in one kind of sport or art education viascholarship programmes and short-term training course to enhancepeople-to-people exchanges, he suggested.
Ambassador Mahmoud Hassan Neyel, for his part, said that the Egyptian Presidentexpects to welcome President Tran Dai Quang on his state visit to his country,saying that the trip will create a strong impetus for the cooperative tiesbetween the two nations.
Egypt wants to learn from Vietnam’s experience in socio-economic development,he said, adding that he will focus on promoting two-way trade and facilitatingconditions for Vietnamese goods to enter EU and African markets.-VNA