Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen: The visit of the President of Burundi is a historic milestone, a driving force to 'unlock' potential

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye receives Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen after the presentation of credentials, October 2024. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania)

Ahead of the official visit of Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife from April 3-6 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong and his wife, Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Burundi Vu Thanh Huyen shared with The Gioi Va Viet Nam Newspaper the special significance of the visit as well as the potential for future cooperation between Vietnam and Burundi.

Could you please share with us the significance of the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the first Head of State of Burundi to Vietnam, especially as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (April 16, 1975 - April 16, 2025)?

Taking place right at the time when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, this visit to Vietnam by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye is of great significance in the current context, in line with the Party and State's policy of expanding foreign relations with other countries, specifically the Project "Developing relations between Vietnam and countries in the Middle East - Africa region for the period 2016-2025".

The visit is considered a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries, demonstrating the desire to further strengthen friendly and cooperative relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture and society.

During a recent meeting at the ceremony to present his credentials, President Evariste Ndayishimiye expressed great expectations for his visit to Vietnam; emphasizing that the two countries have many similarities in culture and ideology and need to increase economic, trade and investment exchanges commensurate with each country's potential.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania concurrently serving in Burundi. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania)

What are the highlights of Vietnam-Burundi relations over the past half century, Ambassador?

Vietnam and Burundi established diplomatic relations on April 16, 1975. Due to many objective factors, the exchange of high-level delegations and ministries between the two sides is very limited. On our side, we visited our friend, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan, special envoy of the Government in 1976. On our friend's side, we had Burundian Prime Minister Pascal-Firmin Ndimira attend the Francophone Summit in Hanoi in 1997 and most recently, the visit of General Secretary of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) Révérien Ndikuriyo in 2024.

Vietnam and Burundi have many similarities in history and culture, have experienced the resistance war against colonialism, and have great potential for cooperation, but economic - trade - investment cooperation is not really commensurate with the potential of the two countries.

Over the past half century, the highlight in the cooperative relationship between the two countries must be the implementation of the investment project of the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group (Viettel) in the Burundi market in June 2014 worth 200 million USD under the name Lumitel.

After 11 years of doing business in the market, Lumitel is currently the telecommunications network holding the number 1 market share in Burundi and is one of the enterprises contributing the largest budget to the Government of Burundi; creating thousands of jobs and stable income for many people, participating in many social and charitable activities... Lumitel is highly appreciated by the leaders of the Party and State of Burundi for its important role in promoting the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Burundi, becoming a bridge connecting the two countries.

In addition, in the context that the two countries have not yet opened representative offices, the appointment of the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Burundi in 2024 is a demonstration of the desire to promote economic, tourism, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Burundi.

Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen works with Viettel Burundi Group (Lumitel), October 2024. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania)

According to the Ambassador, in what areas is the potential for cooperation between Southeast Asian countries and East African countries? What should the two countries do to “unlock” that potential?

East Africa needs to attract investment, aid, and technology; exchange development experiences; promote economic integration and linkages; contribute to resolving post-war problems; and make efforts to fight poverty and disease.

This is an area with large purchasing power with not too strict requirements and is quite ideal because the demand is suitable for Vietnam's production level and supply capacity in terms of quality, design, price... of items such as rice, textiles, footwear, electrical, electronic, mechanical products... This area also has the strength to supply raw materials that Vietnam needs such as crude oil, raw agricultural products, minerals, precious metals...

Especially for many African countries in general, Vietnam is always considered a model to learn from and share experiences in quickly escaping poverty and successfully developing the economy and society.

For many countries in the East African region as well as Burundi, agriculture is considered the pillar of the economy, helping to solve challenges of hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, food security, and building agricultural transformation strategies suitable to the country's conditions.

With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, Vietnam's trade with the African market is increasing significantly. Meanwhile, Vietnam, a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, is increasingly interested in and sees Africa in general and the East African region as a new, potential market, rich in resources and cooperation opportunities in many fields.

Burundi's strengths focus on agricultural development with key export products being coffee and tea along with some agricultural products, fruits... In recent times, the Burundi Government has continuously promoted initiatives to modernize, transform and diversify agricultural production; paying attention to developing the mining sector, especially gold, nickel and rare earth minerals.

At the same time, Burundi is also implementing new regulations to attract investment such as developing energy infrastructure (hydro/solar power plants and transmission systems) and transportation (roads, railways, seaports, airports) to reduce costs and facilitate regional trade.

In terms of foreign affairs, Burundi has implemented a policy of diversifying relations and is currently a member of many important international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Francophone Community, the East African Community (EAC)... Regarding economic organizations, Burundi is currently a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO)... and participates in the West African Customs Union (2005), the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (2010).

On that basis, the two countries can boost trade relations, promote cooperation at multilateral forums, and the upcoming visit of Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye can be the driving force to "unlock" the cooperation potential of both sides.

Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen presented the Decision of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son appointing Mr. Juvenal Sakubu as Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Bujumbura, Burundi, May 2024. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania)

Passing through the "door" of half a century, what does the Ambassador expect from the Vietnam-Burundi relationship in the journey ahead?

Over the past five decades, from a foundation of traditional friendship, the relationship between the two countries has developed into potential cooperative partners in many fields, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

With the political policy and determination of the leaders of the two countries, with resources and potential for cooperation, the good friendship and cooperation between the two countries that have been nurtured and tested over the past five decades, I believe that the Vietnam-Burundi relationship will continue to develop in many fields, especially economics - trade - investment, contributing to the realization of the socio-economic development strategy of each country, contributing to peace, stability, prosperity and common development of the two regions and two continents.

Although the two countries have not opened representative offices, the trust and solidarity in their friendship have been increasingly bearing fruit through substantive cooperation in many fields.

Notably, in May 2024, at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania and Burundi, Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen solemnly presented the Decision of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son appointing Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Bujumbura, Burundi to Mr. Juvenal Sakubu, a successful and prestigious businessman in this East African country.

It can be affirmed that the important role of the Honorary Consul in contributing to promoting economic, tourism, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Burundi in general, with the honorary consular area as well as effectively implementing the work of protecting Vietnamese citizens in the consular area in charge.

With the capacity, prestige and affection for Vietnam, Mr. Juvenal Sakubu, I believe that this is the extended arm that contributes to strengthening the relationship between the two countries to develop more and more strongly.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Burundi's strength is focused on agricultural development with main export products being coffee and tea along with some agricultural products, fruits... (Source: Wiki)

Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen is the Ambassador of Vietnam to the United Republic of Tanzania, concurrently to the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Burundi, the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Representative of Vietnam to the African Union.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-vu-thanh-huyen-chuyen-tham-cua-tong-thong-burundi-la-dau-moc-lich-su-la-dong-luc-mo-khoa-tiem-nang-309533.html