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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with President of the ruling FRELIMO party and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi. |
Could you please share the significance of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Mozambique and South Africa?
At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique Adriano Maleiane and Vice President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid an official visit to the Republic of Mozambique and the Republic of South Africa from September 10-17. The visit has many important meanings for both Vietnam and the two countries, as shown in the following main points:
Firstly, this is a strong step in implementing the foreign policy set out by the 13th National Party Congress on independence, self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations. The visit also contributes to the implementation of the Project "Developing relations between Vietnam and countries in the Middle East - Africa region for the period 2016-2025".
Second, the visit demonstrates the respect for Mozambique and South Africa, two traditional friends in Africa with whom we have a special and loyal relationship. Despite the geographical distance, Vietnam, Mozambique and South Africa share many similarities. These are patriotism, the courageous spirit of protecting peace and national freedom in the past decades and the determination to build a peaceful, prosperous and integrated country in the current period.[1]
Third, the Vice President's visit became a new milestone in strengthening bilateral relations, the first time a senior Vietnamese leader visited Mozambique after 7 years[2] and South Africa after 4 years[3]; taking place in the year commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Africa. The visit demonstrated the determination to expand and further deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mozambique, and the Vietnam-South Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan holds talks with Vice President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile. (Source: VNA) |
Could you please tell us about the outstanding results of this important visit?
Overcoming great geographical distances, with a rich and comprehensive schedule of activities including bilateral contacts through the Party, State and National Assembly channels, meetings with overseas Vietnamese, trade and investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges and cultural diplomacy, the visit achieved very positive and concrete results in many aspects.
Firstly, the visit contributed to further strengthening the high political trust between Vietnam, Mozambique and South Africa . The high-ranking leaders of the two countries gave the Vice President and his delegation a warm and respectful welcome. The leaders of the two friendly countries repeatedly expressed their admiration for Vietnam's development achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, emphasizing their "brotherly" sentiments and loyal affection for Vietnam. In Mozambique, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks and met with all three top leaders: the President and Chairman of the ruling Frelimo Party, the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the National Assembly, and met with the Secretary General of the Frelimo Party and the Chairman of the Maputo City Council, who is also a member of the Frelimo Party Politburo.
In South Africa, the Vice President met privately and held talks with the Vice President, met with the Secretary General and members of the top leadership of the two political parties, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party; participating in the talks and contacts on the other side were leaders of key ministries and branches in the Government. The leaders agreed to increase delegation exchanges and high-level contacts at both Party and State channels; promote the exchange of experiences in leadership and management of the country; continue to promote the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, negotiate and sign cooperation documents to consolidate the legal framework; affirm continued coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.
We support the two countries in cooperation with ASEAN; Mozambique and South Africa are committed to being gateways for Vietnam to cooperate with the African Union and access the African market.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Chairman of the Maputo City Council Eneas Comiche inaugurated the Ho Chi Minh Boulevard nameplate. (Source: VNA) |
Second, the visit created a new impetus for cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries in the fields of economics, investment and trade. The Vice President and the leaders of the two countries agreed that economic, trade and investment cooperation has bright spots, with typical successes such as the Movitel telecommunications joint venture, the food crop development project in Mozambique, or South Africa becoming Vietnam's largest trade partner and export market in Africa; however, it is still not commensurate with the political trust and potential of the parties.
For Mozambique, the visit has contributed to opening up new areas of cooperation such as transport infrastructure development, shipbuilding, vocational training, etc. in addition to promoting sustainable and effective development in traditional areas of cooperation such as telecommunications, agriculture, and mining. The Vice President received the Ministers in charge of economics and leading businesses of the two countries, listened to and noted specific proposals, and outlined major orientations to promote cooperation between the governments and businesses of the two countries in a practical and effective manner.
With South Africa, Your leaders all support our proposals to strengthen cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, education and training, agriculture, coal and minerals. South Africa has become one of the first African partners that Vietnam has promoted negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The South African side has also proactively proposed new projects such as electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, household appliances, etc. Notably, during the visit, the Vietnam-South Africa economic cooperation seminar within the framework of Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023 attracted up to 150 representatives of ministries, branches, businesses and associations of the two countries. Right at the seminar, pharmaceutical companies of the two countries signed a cooperation agreement.
Third, cultural diplomacy activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh are a special highlight . In Mozambique, the Vice President and Mozambican friends offered flowers and inaugurated the new nameplate of the Avenue named after President Ho Chi Minh right in the heart of the capital Maputo.[4]
In South Africa, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the program "Vietnam Day" was held for the first time in South Africa, and also the first time this program was present in Africa. The Vietnamese cultural space, inaugurated by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, introduced to many friends in South Africa in particular, Africa and the world in general the diverse and unique culture of Vietnam; demonstrating that Vietnam considers culture an important channel to enhance exchanges and connections between the people of the two countries.
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| Visitors try on ancient Nguyen Dynasty costumes at the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa. |
Fourthly, the Vice President paid attention to and spent time meeting with the Vietnamese community in Mozambique and South Africa . The Vice President welcomed the Vietnamese community in the two countries, although not large, but has promoted the good qualities of the Vietnamese people, united to overcome difficulties, made positive contributions to the host society, and acted as a bridge for the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the host country. The Vice President's visit and encouragement demonstrated the attention and care of the Party and State leaders for the Vietnamese community abroad, implementing Conclusion 12 of the Politburo on the work of Vietnamese people abroad in the new situation. In the exchange with the leaders, the Vice President asked the host country to create favorable conditions for residence, work permits, etc. so that Vietnamese people can feel secure in doing business, developing and integrating.
In summary, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's visit to Mozambique and South Africa was a great success in all aspects, and was positively and vividly reflected by the Vietnamese and local press. I believe that, based on the common perceptions reached during the visit between the Vice President and the senior leaders of the two friendly countries, the relevant ministries, departments and sectors of each country will continue to coordinate and realize specific measures to bring the cooperative relations between Vietnam, Mozambique and South Africa to a new height, for the benefit of the people of the three countries, contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two continents and in the world.
Thank you, Deputy Minister!
[1] Vietnam was one of the first countries in the world to recognize independence and establish diplomatic relations with Mozambique in 1975; supported South Africa in its struggle for freedom and equality and established diplomatic relations in 1993 before South Africa held its first democratic elections in 1994. The two countries also gave Vietnam sincere support in its cause of national defense and construction over the past decades.
[2] President Truong Tan Sang visited Mozambique in 2016.
[3] Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited South Africa in 2019.
[4] The avenue was named by Mozambique's first President Samora Machel in 1977 and has become a symbol of historical ties and sincere affection between generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
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