(VOVworld)- Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh began an official visit to South Africa on Tuesday at the invitation of South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana Mashabane. FM Minh paid a courtesy call on South African President Jacob Zuma, who said African leaders and people admired the Vietnamese people’s courage during their struggle for independence considering it an inspiration and a good example for South African people fighting Apartheid. President Zuma said South Africa sees Vietnam as a reliable friend and ally, and expressed hí hope that the two countries will continue tightening their ties, especially between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Communist Party of Vietnam and their cooperation in economics and trade.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana Mashabane |
Earlier the same day, Minh held talks with Minister Mashabane, who said South Africa respects Vietnam’s role in the region and at international forums, and expressed hope that Vietnam will serve as a bridge linking the South Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She voiced a hope that the two countries will continue their coordination and mutual support at international forums, like the UN, the South-South cooperation framework, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
The two ministers agreed to increase delegation and people-to-people exchange activities, keep up regular meetings between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the ANC to provide a firm political foundation for future comprehensive and intensive bilateral ties. They also reached consensus on striving to raise two-way trade to more than 1 billion USD in the coming years. Both sides shared a determination to speed up negotiations for an agreement on double taxation avoidance and an agreement on investment encouragement and protection, creating a favorable legal framework for businesses from both countries. The African minister praised Vietnam’s efforts and expressed a desire to continue strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in combating the illegal transport and trading of protected species. During his visit, Minh also met with South African Minister of Industry and Trade Rob Davies and co-chaired a ceremony in Pretoria celebrating the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic ties.