Deepening diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Middle East and African countries

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

Addressing a session on economic cooperation within the conference themed “Meet ambassadors from the Middle East and Africa” in Hanoi, the official said cooperation models between Vietnam and some African nations, especially in the realm of agriculture, have been seen as those of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) cooperation.

He stressed Vietnam’s capacity to meet high and perse demands of the Middle East and African countries, particularly after the country assumes the posts of the ASEAN’s rotary chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Vietnam can work as a bridge promoting cooperation in the areas of shared concern within the ASEAN framework and join hands in addressing issues regarding regional and global peace and security, including those in the Middle East and Africa, he said.

The Southeast Asian nation and the Middle East and African countries share the desire for peace, towards the 2030 UN Agenda, and similarities in the development level, he said, adding that their economies are highly reciprocal.

The two sides boast advantages to step up their comprehensive cooperation, especially in such areas as trade, investment, energy, environment, ICT, agriculture, labour and tourism, Minh stressed.

The official urged the delegates to look into major cooperation orientations, focusing on economic collaboration which should be a lever of political ties between Vietnam and these countries.

He also suggested the ambassadors and charge d’affaires discuss in detail with Vietnamese partners, especially representatives of businesses, to identify potential and feasible areas of cooperation, saying Vietnam has strength in agriculture, fishery, electronics, farm equipment mechanics, construction materials, timber products, agricultural production and processing, ICT and young skilled labourers.

Vietnam stands ready to support the Middle East and African nations in vocational training and seeking digital solutions in service of agricultural development, he said.

Minh called on the sides to renew their cooperation mindsets and methods to adapt to requirements of the new situation, and mobilise the participation of not only the State but also the private sector, the business circle, the public and development partners outside the regions in this regard.

It is necessary to intensify connectivity and promote the role of the network of ambassadors and representatives of the Middle East and Africa in accelerating cooperation programmes and plans, he said.

Apart from bilateral channels, the two sides should enhance coordination at multilateral forums like the UN and the NAM, thus promoting connectivity between Vietnam and the African Union, as well as between the Middle East-African nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he suggested./.

VNF/VNA