Vietnam, Sudan boost comprehensive cooperation
(VOV) -Vietnam and Sudan need to boost bilateral relations to meet their untapped potential and expectations, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.
Both sides should increase high-level visit exchanges and business meetings, and create a direct payment channel between their banks to support export-import activities, Minh told visiting Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal-Eddin Ismail Saeed in Hanoi on February 18.
He suggested Vietnam and Sudan be well prepared for the first meeting of the two countries’ joint commission slated for capital Khartoum in April 2014, and speed up negotiations and signing of important agreements, including those on double tax avoidance, investment encouragement, banking cooperation, and visa exemptions diplomatic passport holders.
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He also asked Sudan to create favourable conditions for Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the military-run telecom group (Viettel) to involve in investment projects in the country.
Vietnam is ready to implement the second phase of a Sudan-based project on rice and other crop cultivation, Minh assured his guest.
For his part, Kamal-Eddin Ismail Saeed spoke highly of Vietnam’s recent Renewal achievements and affirmed Sudan attaches great importance to developing multifaceted cooperation ties with Vietnam.
He proposed Vietnam continue strengthening cooperation and sharing experience in agricultural production and aquaculture with Sudan.
He announced Sudan’s decision to grant 10 Arabic language study scholarships to Vietnamese students and its support to Vietnam’s United Nations Security Council membership bid for the 2020-2021 term.
The same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga held a political consultation with Kamal-Eddin Ismail Saeed.
They said both Foreign Ministries will work closely together at international forums, and promote their role in reviewing and implementing bilateral agreements.
They agreed Vietnam and Sudan need to boost future cooperation, particularly in such potential fields as oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, and leather shoe manufacturing.
The two diplomats also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern.