Government leader welcomes Egyptian and Mongolian ambassadors

At the reception for Egyptian Ambassador Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama, PM Chinh congratulated Egypt on its achievements in maintaining political stability, socio-economic development and COVID-19 containment.

Vietnam greatly values Egypt’s role and position in Africa and the world, especially at regional and international forums like the United Nations (UN), the African Union (EU) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),  Chinh told his guest.

The Vietnamese Government chief showed his elation at positive developments in the Vietnam-Egypt relations, notably in politics-diplomacy, trade and education, adding that both nations have offered mutual support at multilateral forums.

Despite facing the pandemic, the relations have still grown steadily, as shown through the two-way trade revenue rising from US$491 million in 2019 to US$515 million in 2020, he  went on to say.

PM Chinh suggested the two countries coordinate in launching a range of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

Chinh hailed cooperation potential between the two countries, while suggesting both sides should work harder to promote the relationship in a more intensive, pragmatic and effective manner.

He applauded a score of specific measures like intensifying delegation exchanges, meetings at international conferences and phone talks, improving the role and efficiency of cooperation mechanisms, particularly the inter-governmental committee, and working to elevate the annual trade revenue to US$1 billion.

Apart from exchanging information about the market and export-import regulations, the two sides offered optimal conditions for their businesses to seek cooperation opportunities in such areas as energy, oil and gas, chemicals, garment-textile, food processing and agriculture.

The Vietnamese cabinet member expressed his hope that Egypt will maintain Arabic language scholarships for Vietnamese students, consider scholarships on Halal standards for Vietnamese officials, help to promote Vietnamese traditional martial arts in Africa, and promote tourism exchanges between the two countries.

He asked the two sides coordinate in the implementation of the reached agreements, negotiate new ones and resign those that are no longer suitable with the new situation.

Vietnam and Egypt should further provide mutual support at multilateral forums, and called on Egypt to back the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on East Sea issue, settling all disputes and differences by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), and ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters.

For her part, Salama noted her impressions on Vietnam’s achievements in the pandemic fight and socio-economic recovery and development, which she said, reflect the Vietnamese government’s sound policies and leadership.

The ambassador said she hopes that with its role in the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam will make greater contributions to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the wider world.

Egypt will host the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), and the country desires to welcome the PM at the event, she said.

Meeting with Mongolian Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav, Chinh highlighted the time-honoured relationship and mutual support between the two countries during national construction and development.

Although the pandemic has affected the regional and world situation, the relations have been maintained, especially in politics, national defence and security, he said, affirming that Vietnam always wants to propel the relationship across the board.
He lauded the efforts by the ambassador to foster the bilateral ties, including the launch of direct flights between the two countries.

The leader suggested the two sides maintain delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels under flexible forms, thus helping to deepen mutual understanding and trust.

Vietnam always stands ready to welcome Mongolian leaders to the country in the time ahead, he said.
Both nations need to step up cooperation in national defence and security, especially after they signed the agreement on defence cooperation and another on information protection and exchange, and coordinate to effectively roll out bilateral cooperation mechanisms and agreements, firstly the organisation of the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Mongolia inter-governmental committee in Mongolia in August.

As Vietnam and Mongolia still boast substantial potential for cooperation in trade and investment, more mechanisms are needed to boost the partnerships, the leader said.

The two countries should strengthen goods exchange, organise trade and investment promotion workshops to raise the bilateral trade, and launch more air routes, he went on to say.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader called on Mongolia to continue its cooperation with Vietnam in addressing regional and international issues of shared concern, and further support ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s stance of settling all disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters.

In response, the ambassador described Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements as valuable lessons for Mongolia, especially Vietnam’s viewpoint of being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community, for peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the world.

Sereejav said he hopes that during his term, he will contribute to advance the Vietnam-Mongolia relations to a strategic partnership.

The ambassador conveyed the Mongolian PM’s invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Mongolia, and the invitation was graciously accepted.