South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim I Ebrahim, emphasized this at the second meeting of the South Africa-Vietnam Partnership Forum on August 17. He praised Vietnam’s heroic struggle for national independence and spoke highly of its achievements in national construction and development.

Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh, who is leading the Vietnamese delegation at the meeting, said he was delighted with the development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and South Africa and reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy of respecting ties with all African nations.

He proposed that both countries continue promoting cooperation, particularly in their fields of strength.

At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the entire scope of their relations over the past years and redefined and refocused their priorities for bilateral cooperation to take advantage of existing opportunities.

They agreed to boost exchanges of high-ranking delegations, support each other in the international arena, and enhance political, diplomatic, trade, economic, national defence and security ties, as well as cooperation in environmental protection, science, technology and judicial reform.

The South African side underlined triangular cooperation between Vietnam, South Africa and other African nations, saying it is willing to work with Vietnam to expand cooperation in aquaculture, health care, and education.

The two countries also agreed to cooperate in organizing cultural events in 2013 to mark the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.