Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his visiting Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong released a joint statement on the upgrade of bilateral relations following their talks in Cairo on August 5.

President El-Sisi welcomed President Cuong’s visit which he said marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two countries after more than 60 years of diplomatic relations. He emphasised that Egypt always values and wishes to further strengthen the traditional friendship and steadfast bond with Vietnam.

President Cuong recalled the deep affection that President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people have extended to Egypt, reaffirming Vietnam’s appreciation for the bilateral relationship nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and generations of leaders and people of both countries since the early days of the national liberation struggle.

On this occasion, President Cuong respectfully conveyed greetings from senior Vietnamese leaders to the President, leaders, and people of Egypt.

The two presidents exchanged views on the socio-economic development of each country, welcomed the positive progress in Vietnam–Egypt relations, and affirmed their determination to create breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation across all fields.

They also discussed opportunities to expand cooperation into new areas such as innovation, science and technology, green transition, and digital transformation. They pledged to continue improving the bilateral legal frameworks as a foundation for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

To promote balanced and mutually beneficial trade, President Cuong stated that Vietnam has agreed in principle to open its market to certain Egyptian products of interest, and proposed that Egypt facilitate access for Vietnamese goods to its market. The relevant agencies of both sides will soon worn on procedures in accordance with international norms to implement this initiative.

President El-Sisi affirmed that with its strategic location connecting three continents and its extensive network of free trade agreements, Egypt is ready to act as a bridge for Vietnamese businesses and goods to access the Middle East and Africa. He also agreed to discuss the possibility of establishing new bilateral trade cooperation frameworks to help raise the trade volume in the coming time.

The two sides stressed the importance of establishing a working group to study the feasibility of negotiating a Vietnam–Egypt Free Trade Agreement, promote cooperation in education, people-to-people exchanges, enhance tourism promotion, and introduce each other's destinations, culture, and people.

President Cuong thanked Egypt for offering scholarships for Arabic language training to Vietnamese students and proposed expanding cooperation and student exchanges in new fields such as Halal industry, agriculture, international relations, as well as sharing experience and supporting Vietnam in preserving and promoting national cultural values, museum management, and sustainable tourism development.

He proposed that Egypt pay attention to and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Egypt to lead stable lives, contribute to Egypt’s development, and help strengthen bilateral relations.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, President Cuong appreciated Egypt’s role as a mediator in seeking solutions to regional conflicts.

The Egyptian President welcomed Vietnam's stance on the just cause of the Palestinian people and agreed that promoting a two-state solution is essential to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

On the East Sea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed their support for resolving disputes by peaceful means, based on respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure peace, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.

The two leaders also agreed to uphold international law and the UN Charter, and enhance close coordination, consultation, and mutual support on regional and global issues at multilateral forums, for the benefit of the people of both countries and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

President Luong Cuong extended a cordial invitation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to visit Vietnam at an early date, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed in Cairo on State visit to Egypt

VOV.VN - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi hosted a welcoming ceremony in Caro on August 5 for Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and his entourage who were on a State visit to Egypt.