Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (Source: RealClearPolitics)Israeli President Reuven Rivlin made the suggestion in a recent interview withVietnam News Agency on the run up to his upcoming official visit to Vietnamfrom March 19-25.
The following is the full text of the interview.
“Q: How do youevaluate the relationship between Israel and Vietnam over the years?
Israel and Vietnamshare a rich and prosperous friendship. This is a friendship between ourgovernments, and between the two peoples. We have rapidly growing cooperationand are celebrating nearly a quarter of a century of diplomatic relations butof course, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, met with Ho ChiMinh in Paris in 1946, and the friendship they established that day, serves asthe foundation for our close ties and strong relationship to this day.
Historically,thousands of years ago our peoples established their sovereign nations. We arecountries which have many holy and spiritual sites, which are important to ouridentities and history. We share an appreciation for their preservation andreverence throughout the ages. Indeed, both countries have had similarexperiences having to fight against great powers for independence. We bothshare a deep appreciation for our freedom and right to self-determination.
Economically,Israel respects Vietnam’s development and fast growing economy. Indeed yourachievements are admirable, and we look at you through the eyes of our owneconomy which has developed a strong hi-tech and innovation industry which hasled to be known as the Start-Up Nation.
Israel is proud towelcome many hundreds of Vietnamese students on our MASHAV internationaldevelopment program each year, and Vietnam and Israel have become importantpartners. Israel is one of Vietnam's major partners in the Middle East with abilateral trade volume of US$2.3 billion in 2015. And of course we arecurrently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, which I hope will be concludedsoon. This agreement will form a stronger foundation for our mutual trade andbusiness exchange.
We have so muchpotential to cooperate in so many fields. Indeed, ‘potential’ is probably thebest word to describe our relations. Yes, our cooperation has been mostfruitful, but we have to understand – and utilize – the great potential whichlies before us.
Q: What should both countries do to further enhance diplomaticrelationship and bilateral economic co-operation in the near future?
Vietnamese, likeIsraelis, have the same dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. So first and foremost,let us work together and cooperate in that spirit of innovation and creativity.For Israel, this was born out a lack of natural resources. We had to think‘outside the box’ to address some of the most daily concerns. Accordingly wehave developed much technology and know-how in the area of irrigation and waterconservation – perhaps the most precious of all resources. We work to purifymore and more grey water, we work on advancing desalination, and we work toproduce water even from thin air. Vietnam has more water and a lot more landthan Israel, but you have a lot more people to feed, and we know you arelooking for ways to grow more food on your land, and for ways to supply cleanwater to your country. This is a crucial area for our ongoing cooperation, asit will benefit both peoples, and indeed many others around the world.
In addition, ourcommercial partnerships today include, a growing variety of industries andknowledge sharing. This includes of course defence and cyber crucial forkeeping our peoples safe; medical devices and cooperation crucial for ourpeoples’ well-being; and education to continue on our great legacies andachievements. Indeed, through cooperation in agriculture utilizing Israelitechnology to improve Vietnamese production we can ensure food security formillions of people around the world. If we cooperate in communications andtechnology, we connect people to build greater understanding and supportresearch and development. Through our cooperation, we can truly face globalchallenges.
We are ready to dothis together - indeed during my visit I am honored to bring with me adelegation of more than 50 Israeli business leaders, and will be addressing twoeconomic seminars on expanding our cooperation.
This is theopportunity that we have, and in the future I would like to see more mutualtrade and cooperation.
Q: What are the key contents to be discussed during your visit and yourexpectations for the visit?
My visit comes atthe time when relations between both countries are bearing fruit and greateraccomplishments can be made. During my visit I will meet with President TranDai Quang, with the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong,and with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. We have much to discuss about how wecan strengthen our ties, and work together to not only improve the lives of ourpeoples, but work to address challenges to the whole world, including security,sustainability, and innovation.
Q: What is yourassessment of the national defence cooperation between Israeland Vietnam over the years?
We all know peaceand security cannot be taken for granted. Often, so that we can enjoy economic,social, cultural, and educational prosperity, we must be vigilant to ensuresecurity. Defence has a role in peace as it does during times of war. In thetwenty-first century, it is clear to everyone that security is a very broadterm. It includes homeland security, freedom from violence, protection againstcyber-attacks, and the ability to communicate in any condition and in anyweather. So that security cooperation can incorporate all these differentfields, Israel aspires to expand our security cooperation with other countries.Over the last years, much has already been achieved in our cooperation, and wehave exchanged military attaches as part of our growing diplomatic relations. Weare ready and willing to deepen this cooperation, and share further our bestpractices and experience in defending our peoples.“-VNA
VNA
