Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s official visit to Vietnam from September 6-7 is expected to usher in a new chapter in the bilateral relationship, according to Egypt’s Al Messa daily on September 3.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al Messa Rifaat Khaled wrote in his article that this is the first visit to Vietnam by an Egyptian President since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1963.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit, which is made at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang, is of significance as it will help open up many opportunities for the two sides to strengthen their cooperation in politics, diplomacy and economy, Khaled said.

The article noted that 2017 is an important year of the bilateral ties, saying it also marks Vietnam’s new integration steps through hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s meetings.

As the host of APEC 2017, Vietnam has a great opportunity to promote relations with partners in the region while enhancing its role and position in the international arena, according to the article.

Khaled also stressed that President el-Sisi pays due attention to global peace and stability, which will also be discussed by the President and his Vietnamese counterpart.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Applauding Vietnam’s role in ASEAN, he said Egypt backs Vietnam’s consistent policy of maintaining regional security, peace and stability; the intensification of interests shared by ASEAN members and countries in the region; as well as the agreement on ASEAN connectivity in enhancing peace, stability and navigation freedom in the East Sea

Vietnam and Egypt have supported each other at multilateral forums, the article said, stressing that Egypt backed Vietnam’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council during 2014-2016, as well as the International Law Commission for the 2017-2020 tenure.

In response, Vietnam supported Egypt’s engagement in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in September 2016. The Vietnamese side has called for Egypt’s backing of the country’s candidacy for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, the article said.

Vietnam supports and appreciates the Egyptian Government’s economic reform programmes, Khaled said, adding that the Egyptian side attaches importance to Vietnam’s experience in economic and tourism development.

He said tourism is one of Vietnam’s economic spearheads with a turnover of 16 billion USD in 2015, equivalent to 9.3 percent of the country’s GDP.

Vietnam is making every effort to further boost the tourism industry, aiming to attract 55 million international tourists in 2050, Khaled said.

Vietnam is forecast to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world by 2050, he noted./.

VNF/VNA