Meeting with the Ambassador of South Africa Vuyiswa Tulelo, President Phuc said Vietnam attaches importance to the traditional friendship with South Africa and regards the country as an important partner in the continent.

Mr. Phuc said that Vietnam stands ready to support South Africa to enhance cooperation with ASEAN, calling for South Africa’s support and close coordination in promoting the relations between Vietnam and Africa.

He suggested the two countries create favourable conditions for businesses to foster cooperation in industry, agriculture and national defense and security.

At a reception for the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Ismaeil A.Dahlwy, President Phuc stressed that Saudi Arabia is one of Vietnam’s leading economic, trade, and investment partners in the Middle East, and urged the two countries to raise bilateral trade to 10 billion USD.

He stressed the need to accelerate negotiations and sign cooperation documents, especially agreements on investment promotion and protection and crime combat, and improve the efficiency in the joint committee and political consultations.

At a meeting with the Ambassador of Belgium Karl Hendrik Margareta Van Den Bossche, President Phuc suggested Belgium assist with Vietnamese agricultural products entering the country to be distributed to retail systems in Europe.

He urged the Belgian parliament to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the European Commission (EC) to remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.

The two countries should enhance cooperation in green agriculture, renewable energy, digital economy, green economy, and personnel training, Mr. Phuc continued.

As Vietnam and Belgium will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year, President Phuc asked the Ambassador to coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out economic, cultural, education activities and people-to-people exchange.