New Milestone in Strengthening Relations between Vietnam, Mozambique and South Africa
The official visits to Mozambique and South Africa by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan from September 10 -17 have contributed to speeding up the implementation of the project "Developing relations between Vietnam and countries in the Middle East - Africa region in 2016-2025”, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang told VNA.
Hang underlined the significance of the visits, saying that they hold importance to Vietnam and the two African nations.
The visits were steps to strongly implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations set forth by the 13th Party Congress, Hang said.
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At the meeting between Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and President of the Assembly of Mozambique Esperança Bias. Photo: VNA |
They also demonstrated that Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with Mozambique and South Africa – Vietnam's two traditional friends in Africa, she went on.
Vice President Xuan’s visits marked new milestones in strengthening bilateral relations with the two African countries, Hang said, noting that they were the first high-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Mozambique in seven years and to South Africa in four years.
They reflected the determination to further expand and deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mozambique, and the partnership for cooperation and development between Vietnam and South Africa, the official stressed, noting that the visits have achieved positive results across aspects and contributed to further strengthening the political trust between Vietnam and the two nations.
According to Hang, leaders of both African nations repeatedly expressed their admiration for Vietnam's development achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), and underlined their friendship with the Southeast Asian nation.
In Mozambique, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks and met with President Filipe Nyusi who is President of Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo), Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane, President of the Assembly of Mozambique Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias, Secretary-General of Frelimo Roque Silva, and President of the Municipal Council of Maputo Eneas Comiche.
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Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (L) and Secretary General of South Africa’s ruling party African National Congress Fikile Mbalula. Photo: VNA |
In South Africa, the Vietnamese leader held talks with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile and had meetings with leaders of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the African National Congress (ANC) Party, and key officials of ministries and sectors.
Leaders of the two countries agreed to increase delegation exchanges and high-level meetings through both Party and State channels; promote the sharing of experience in leadership and state management; enhance the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and negotiate and sign cooperation documents to strengthen the legal framework. They affirmed continued coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.
Vietnam supports both Mozambique and South Africa in their cooperation with ASEAN, while the African nations committed to serve as bridges connecting Vietnam and the African Union (AU) and facilitating Vietnam’s access to the African market.
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Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan receives leading officials from the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local enterprises. Photo: VNA |
The Vietnamese Vice President’s visits have also created new momentum for economic, investment, and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the African states, Deputy FM Hang said.
Vietnam considers culture as an important channel for strengthening exchange and connectivity between Vietnam and the African nations, Hang said.
The Deputy FM said she believes that on the basis of common perceptions achieved by leaders of Vietnam and the African nations, relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies of each country will continue to coordinate and take specific measures to elevate the cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries to new heights, for the sake of the people of all three countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development on both continents and around the world.
Vietnam and Mozambique established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1975. Vietnam opened its embassy in Mozambique in 1976. The two countries have regularly maintained the exchange of delegations and provided mutual support at multinational forums. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation is the highlight of the two countries' relationship. Their trade turnover in 2022 reached over USD 177 million, an increase of 16% compared to 2022. Meanwhile, South Africa is the first and only cooperation and development partner of Vietnam in Africa. The Communist Party of Vietnam has developed traditional friendship and cooperative relations with the ruling ANC and the SACP. South Africa is Vietnam’s largest trading partner and largest export market, with two-way trade hitting USD 1.3 billion last year. The two countries have maintained sessions of the intergovernmental cooperation committee and the joint trade commission. Currently, Vietnam has three projects operational in South Africa, while South Africa has 19 operating projects in Vietnam. |
![]() | Vietnam's Vice President Begins Africa Tour Vietnam's Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is paying official visits to Mozambique and South Africa from September 10-17 at the invitations of Mozambique Prime ... |
![]() | Vietnamese Cultural Space Opens for South African Public The cultural space delivers a rich in culture yet dynamic Vietnam to friends in South Africa, where we can further promote cultural exchange. |
![]() | New Plaque of President Ho Chi Minh Inaugurated in Mozambique Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended an inauguration ceremony for the new plaque of Ho Chi Minh Avenue. |
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