President Sang attends 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference
(VOV) - On April 24, State President Truong Tan Sang attended the 60th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (known as the Bandung Conference) in Indonesia along with Heads of State, Prime Ministers and delegation heads from Asian and African nations.
The leaders participated in a historic parade heading to Gedung Merdeka Palace that recalled the walk of Bangdung 60 years ago.
They also watched a short film featuring the Bangdung Conference in 1955, the 60 year- path of the Asian – African Conference with drastic changes in developing Asian and African nations as well as in the world.
In his speech, Indonesian President Joko Widodo highlighted the significance of the 1955 Bangdung Conference, the value of Bangdung spiritual immortality and the ten Bangdung principles that should be respected. More than ever, the Asian – African community must unite and work together for peace, prosperity and for a fairer world.
Representatives and observers from the two continents also delivered speeches reviewing 60 years of the development of the Asian-African community and underlining the need to maintain and promote Bangdung spirit in the present context, thus bringing benefit to the people in Asian and African developing countries and humankind.
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After the commemorative ceremony, the leaders attended an inaugural of Asia-Africa memorial- an iconic work marking the 60th anniversary of the Bangdung Conference.
On the occasion, President Sang met with former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri during which Sang applauded the invaluable contributions by late President Sukarno, father of Mrs. Megawati to giving ideas on holding the Bangdung Conference in 1955.
Late President Sukarno and late President Ho Chi Minh joined efforts in nurturing the Vietnam-Indonesia relationship. Sang also praised Mrs.Megawati’s contributions to promoting bilateral relations, providing a solid foundation for the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2013.
Megawati affirmed her nation’s continual support for the strengthening of the strategic partnership for mutual benefit and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
President Sang invited former President Megawati to visit Vietnam and his invitation was graciously accepted.
Meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein on the sidelines of the conference, President Sang congratulated the significant socio-economic achievements Myanmar has recorded over recent years while reiterating Vietnam’s recognition of high importance to consolidating the time-honoured friendly relations and closer cooperation with Myanmar.
For his part, Thein Sein praised Vietnam's achievements in national construction and development and its role and positive contributions to ensuring regional peace and stability and the building of the ASEAN Community.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction the growing bilateral relations, especially in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade and investment, security and defence and agriculture.
Two-way trade grew 35% to US$475 million in 2014 over a year earlier. Vietnam has poured US$513.18 million into 7 investment projects in Myanmar, raking 8 out of 33 countries and territories investing in Myanmar.
The two sides also hailed the good results of the official Myanmar visit in March 2015 by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF).
The two Presidents agreed upon their two nations’ organization of celebratory activities marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1975-2015) and suggested improving bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including soon organizing the 7th session of political consultations and the 8th session of the Vietnam - Myanmar Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in 2015.
President Thein Sein asserted his country’s willingness to facilitate Vietnamese investment.
The pair also stressed the importance of closely coordinating at regional and international forums, particularly ASEAN and the UN as well as the sub-regional cooperation mechanisms- ACMECS, CLMV, GMS and EWEC.
Later in the same day, President Sang is due to leave Indonesia, concluding his trip for the 2015 Asian-African Conference, the 60th anniversary celebration of the Asian-African Conference and the 10th anniversary of the New Strategic Asian-African Partnership at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.