Bright prospect for Vietnam-Turkey relations

(VNF) – On occasion of the 40^th anniversary of Vietnam – Turkey diplomatic relation establishment, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vu Hong Nam, recently published a note, showing his views on the bright prospect of two countries’ ties. The English version of the note is introduced on the Vietnam Times as followings.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam (source: The World and Vietnam)

On occasion of his official visit to Vietnam last year, Turkish Prime Minister (PM), Binali Yildirim, expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people’s heroic history in the cause of national defence and development in a speech on August 23, 2017.

According to PM Binali Yildirim, Turkey considered Vietnam, a robustly growing nation with position in the international arena getting higher, is one of Turkey’s most trusted partners in Asia in general and ASEAN in particular.

The leader of Turkey also noted the similarities two countries shared in terms of development pathway, which would brought about various cooperation opportunities.

What PM Yildirim said conveyed his sincere affection for Vietnam and its people, emphasizing the close connection and the effective friendly cooperation Vietnam and Turkey have been enjoying in the past 40 years, since the beginning of diplomatic ties in 1978.

Fostering economic relations

Despite the remote geographical distance, Vietnam and Turkey still share many things in common in the history of national defence and development. For instance, both countries have a long-standing exotic culture.

At present, the two are focusing on accelerating growth, maintaining a high growth rate of the economy.

Turkey is considered a developed transcontinental country in Eurasia, a member of G20, the group that posses a significant influencing power in diplomatic relations with Middle-East Country and Asia.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's policy prioritizes the proactiveness of engaging deeply and widely in international integration. The country is focusing on further taking part in the international economic network and has been becoming an essential link in the huge global economic chain with 59 partners, including 15 members of G20. At the same time, Vietnam is also an active member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In recent years, Turkey regards Vietnam as one of the most trust-worthy and vigorous partners in the region.

To Vietnam, Turkey is the leading trade partner in the Middle East.

Specially, the two countries hold numerous strengths and potentials which are ideal for cooperation and can be utilized to support each other's growth.

In recent years, two way trade has been on the steady rise. The value hit USD 2 billion in 2017, mostly attributed to the Vietnamese enterprises with over USD 1.9 billion. Meanwhile, Turkish investors are conducting 16 projects in Vietnam with total capital of USD 1 billion.

Increasing political trust

The enhancement of political trust is vital foundation for the increasingly tightening ties between Vietnam and Turkey.

The two countries have been maintaining contact at all levels, all sectors. Remarkably, the visit made by PM Binali Yildirim last August was a milestone in bilateral ties, as it had been the first visit of a Turkish PM to Vietnam.

Overview of a dialogue between two countries' PM in August 2017. (source: The World and Vietnam)

Earlier, there were numerous leaders exchange were made, including those by Deputy PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem (June 2009); Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Kien (February 2011); Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan (June 2010, May 2011) and many leaders of Ministries, sectors have visited Turkey.

Meanwhile, Vietnam have received Deputy PM of Turkey Bulent Arinc (February 2011) and many leaders of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic, Ministry of Labours and Social Welfare.

These visits, together with the presence of bilateral cooperation mechanism such as the Vietnam-Turkey Joint Economic Commission (which has been run for 7 tenures) and bilateral political consultation sessions (3 tenures) have brought about vast achievements in various aspects.

At the moment, Vietnam and Turkey keep lending supports for each other in regional and international forums.

Turkey was one of the earliest supporters for Vietnam in the election for non-permanent members of UN Security Council tenure 2020-2021 and other forums.

Two countries are also coordinating closely in fighting against terrorism and the Islamic extremism.

In July 2016, the Turkish National Airline launched a direct flight route connecting Istanbul and Hanoi, HCM.City with the frequency of 1 flight/day.

The debut not only opened a new route linking Vietnam with more friend countries, especially the Middle East, Africa, but more importantly, it helps enhance people-to-people relations and the ties between entrepreneurs of Vietnam and Turkey. Nowadays, Turkey has become an appealing destinations for Vietnamese tourists, while Vietnamese dishes like springrolls and noodles have become many Turkish’s favorite.

Tightening the people-to-people bonds

This year, Vietnam and Turkey marks the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment with many ongoing and upcoming celebration events, in the fields of culture, foreign affairs, economics and tourism.

These series of activities not only foster cooperation but also reinforce mutual understanding and the bond between two peoples.

Moreover, the anniversary year is a precious chance for Vietnam to widely broadcast its traditional value, its culture to a culturally rich country like Turkey.

The achievements two sides have together attained in the last four decades will serve as the solid foundation to bring bilateral cooperation to a higher level, for the benefit of the peoples, for the sake of peace, friendship of the two regions and the world at large./.

( Translated by Phi Yen )