The Vietnamese President made the statement while receiving South African President Thabo Mbeki who arrived in Hanoi on May 24 for an official visit to Vietnam. He welcomed Mr Mbeki’s visit, considering it a vivid manifestation and a landmark in the relations of traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Triet highly valued the great achievements made by the South African people in national construction under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) and President Thabo Mbeki, as well as the country’s positive contributions to peace, stability and development in Africa and the rest of the world.

Mr Mbeki expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people’s hard and heroic struggle for national independence and freedom in the past as well as their important achievements in the current Doi Moi (Renewal) process. He congratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of the recent National Assembly election, the 10^th National Party Congress, and the 14^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting as well as its entry to the World Trade Organisation.

He expressed his desire to enhance the relations of traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam in the framework of “The Joint Statement on Partnership for Cooperation and Development” signed in November 2004 between President Mbeki and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. He spoke highly of Vietnam’s enhanced role and position in the region and the world, particularly in the Non-Aligned Movement.

“South African supports Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2008-09 term and recognises its market economy status,” said Mr Mbeki.

Both host and guest expressed satisfaction at the results of the first session of the Vietnam-South Africa Joint Governmental Partnership Forum and insisted that the governments, relevant ministries and agencies of the two countries soon work out specific measures to boost bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, education, tourism, security and national defence, as well as other potential areas.  

They exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to strengthen their coordination at international forums. 

Mr Mbeki invited Mr Triet to visit South Africa and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels. 

Vietnam and South Africa sign the joint statement

After the talks, the two presidents signed a joint statement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of South Africa. They also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements, including a cooperation agreement between the two governments, the minute of discussions on the Vietnam-South Africa Partnership Forum and an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary and diplomatic passport holders.

At the joint press briefing held after the talks, President Mbeki said he strongly supports Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2008-2009 period and recognises Vietnam’s market economy status.

He also praised Vietnam’s achievements in economic development, hunger elimination and poverty reduction.

“Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreign investors,” said Mr Mbeki.  

Later in the afternoon, Mr Mbeki met with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who expressed his hope that the visit will bring bilateral relations to a new height.

Mr Mbeki briefed Mr Dung on the results of his talks with President Nguyen Minh Triet and his meeting with General Vo Nguyen Giap, who, he said, had greatly influenced the South African people’s struggle for national liberation.

The two leaders shared the view that the two countries will do their best to effectively implement the agreements signed earlier in the morning. They held that the Vietnam-South Africa Inter-governmental Committee should have regular meetings to boost bilateral cooperation in the areas of economics, trade and investment on par with the fine political ties and great potential of the two countries.   

Earlier in the morning, Mr Mbeki laid a wreath at the Monument of War Martyrs and paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum.