Vietnam seeks stronger ties with Africa

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized this at the 2nd International Vietnam-Africa Seminar which opened in Hanoi on August 17 in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem, former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh, UN Under-Secretary-General Cheick Sidi Diarra, and representatives from African countries, international organizations, and Vietnamese businesses.

He noted over the past years, relations of all-round cooperation between the two sides have developed significantly, with many agreements put in place, laying a firm foundation for broader ties in the future.

He said the “Vietnam-Africa: Cooperation for Sustainable Development” seminar will help Vietnam and African countries to get and cooperate closer together in various areas, so as to meet each other’s requirements for development and international integration.

The PM asked delegates to discuss measures to strengthen traditional cooperation between Vietnam and Africa, promote Vietnam’s presence in Africa and vice versa, and expand their economics, trade, and investment ties.

He said the forum offered a good chance for participating countries to share experiences in poverty reduction and implementation of the UN millennium development goals (MDGs), and encourage the engagement of all economic sectors in these programmes.

At the seminar, Deputy PM Khiem said developing the Vietnam-Africa relations has played an important role in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

He said bilateral ties have made great strides in political, diplomatic, and economic spheres, since the first seminar in 2003.

Notably, two-way trade increased from US$360 million in 2003 to US$2.07 billion in 2009.

The two sides have increased cooperation in agriculture, energy, labour, and health care, as well as in the exchange of experts. More than 70 cooperation documents have been signed, creating a favourable legal corridor for cementing their ties.

As the world and regions, especially Africa, have seen significant changes in recent years, Vietnam and Africa want to review identify advantages and challenges, and propose measures to boost cooperation in many fields, said Mr. Khiem.

The Under-Secretary-General Diarra highlighted the Vietnamese Government’s active role in establishing the new strategic partnership between Asia and Africa and holding the three-day Vietnam-Africa seminar.

This year’s event shows both sides’ determination to boost friendship and cooperation, he said, adding that the UN appreciates the significance of the South-South cooperation, as well as other relations between Africa and Asia, and Vietnam in particular.

On August 17, participants discussed issues related to food security, agricultural cooperation, hunger elimination, poverty reduction, and cooperation in trade, industry, energy, and investment.