Ample room ahead for stronger ties with South Africa

On December 22, 1993, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. Overcoming difficulties and limitations due to geographical distance, the traditional friendship between both sides over the past 30 years has been cultivated and has become more and more substantive and effective, with this being demonstrated through co-operation across multiple fields.

However, the two countries still have plenty of room to collaborate and develop together moving forward.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic ties, Ambassador Tulelo granted an interview to VOV regarding the potential and expectation for the relationship between two countries in the near future.

Upon assessing the co-operative relations between the two nations over the past three decades, the South African diplomat said since establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have really made progress when finding a mechanism to adjust their relationship. As a result, the two sides work through a joint co-operation forum, which focuses on science, technology, and cultural exchanges.

There is also a joint committee aimed at building a trade and defence partnership dialogue. It can be said that the two sides have really come far over the past 30 years, but there remains ample room to do more and develop further.

Ambassador Tulelo highlighted a number of outstanding results achieved through high-level exchange visits on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, including the visit to South Afica of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on November 9 and the visit to Vietnam by South African Vice President Paul Mashatile in December.

As a result, the Vietnam Confederation of Industry and Commerce (VCCI) and the South African Chamber of Commerce will soon sign a co-operation agreement. In addition, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa launched Vietnam Day in a bid to introduce Vietnamese culture and land and people to South African people.

During the visit to Vietnam by Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, the two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on higher education. Most notably, VP Mashatile mentioned that Vingroup is considering expanding its market to South Africa to produce parts for electric cars.

The South African Deputy President has promised to return next year with a trade delegation as part of efforts to promote investment and trade links between the two countries, the Ambassador went on to say.

Regarding economic relations, South Africa continues to maintain its position as the nation’s leading trading partner in Africa, with trade exchanges between the two countries in recent years reaching an average of about US$1.3 billion per year.

Talking about the bilateral trade ties, Ambassador Tulelo stated that the trade aspect has always been a bright spot in mutual relations. However, the good foundation of political and human relations between the two countries can create conditions for both to do even better.

One of her tasks during her three-year term in Vietnam is to make every effort to step up trade links between the two countries. During high-level visits by leaders of the two countries this year, the two sides agreed to strive to bring bilateral trade turnover up to US$2 billion. To achieve this goal, both countries still have a lot of work to do.

The two partners need to have mechanisms, frameworks, and measures in place to facilitate their goods accessing each other's markets. There should be discussions and evaluations of market-accessible products with the other party.

For example, in agriculture, South Africa has exported apples, grapes, and pears to the Vietnamese market and continues to promote South African orange products, eventually expanding to wine products, she said.

Regarding the goal of connecting people and tourism cooperation, Ambassador Tulelo highly appreciated the Vietnamese announcement of the electronic visa program (EVISA) for South Africans. This helps to eliminate a lot of administrative procedures when South Africans come to Vietnam. South Africa is also trying to implement a similar programme for Vietnamese people visiting South Africa.

Every quarter, the Embassy still organises schemes to introduce South African culture and tourism in Vietnamese localities, she continued.

Asked about her expectations for the joint relationship in the near future, the diplomat said she hopes that prior to the end of her term of office, the two countries will conduct a state visit as it will be the most symbolic connection between the two countries.

With that exchange, she hopes that the two sides will be able to resolve the set targets, such as in trade, both sides can resolve the technical and legal issues that govern bilateral trade.

She also looks forward to having such a state visit, where both parties can establish a framework and roadmap for the joint relationship over the next 30 years.