Government leader highlights Mozambique as Vietnam's key partner in Africa

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was speaking this during a meeting with President of the Mozambican Assembly Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias in Hanoi on June 21.

The Vietnamese Government chief congratulated Mozambique on its election as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2023-2024 tenure for the first time, and expressed confidence that the country will fulfill its membership to make remarkable contribution to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole.

Chinh hailed the positive development in the bilateral relations over the past time, especially in politics-diplomacy, telecommunications, agriculture, trade and education.

Both nations have maintained delegation exchange via the Party and State channels, as well as mutual support at multilateral forums, PM Chinh said, adding that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the bilateral cooperation has been strengthened, as shown through the online talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO) and President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on June 6, 2022, and the ongoing visit by the President of the Assembly.

Bilateral economic cooperation has also seen positive signs with Movitel, a joint venture between Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group of Vietnam and Mozambique's company SPI, being a bright spot.

There is ample room for cooperation between the two nations, and Vietnam stands ready to share its experience in development, external affairs and integration with Mozambique, Chinh went on to say.

Chinh proposed a score of measures to deepen the bilateral ties, while voicing his hope that the two legislative bodies will back the implementation process.

He suggested both sides should intensify the exchange of delegations, especially at the high level via the Party and State channels, as well as people-to-people exchanges to tighten their political trust and add fresh impetus to partnerships across a variety of fields, particularly economy, the Vietnamese cabinet leader said.

He also urged the two sides to improve the operational efficiency of the inter-governmental committee and continue their mutual support at multilateral forums.

The PM called on Mozambique to support Vietnam’s and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s stance on peaceful settlement of disputes, while ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

The two countries should work to raise their bilateral trade revenue by facilitating market access, trade promotion and business connectivity, offering mutual support in diversifying supply chains and expanding the market in Africa and Asia, PM Chinh continued.

He also suggested stepping up cooperation in education and health care, saying Vietnam is willing to increase scholarships for Mozambican students, dispatch more medical experts to the African nation, and consider expanding collaboration in other areas like energy, processing industry, culture and tourism.

The PM expressed his hope that the Mozambican Assembly will adopt more policies facilitating the investment by foreign firms, including those from Vietnam, not only major groups but also small- and medium-sized enterprises.

In response, Bias congratulated Vietnam on its tremendous achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 pandemic containment, and spoke highly of the country’s role in the region and the world, especially within the frameworks of ASEAN and the United Nations. Mozambique backs the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue, she affirmed.

Mozambique considers Vietnam one of the most important partners in Asia, and greatly valued Vietnam’s cooperation, support and investment in Mozambique in agriculture and telecoms, the Mozambican Assembly President told her host.

She pledged her nation's support for the promotion of cooperation between the two governments, especially the implementation of the measures proposed by PM Chinh.