Various activities marks Vietnam-Algeria 55th diplomatic ties

At the event, a special publication on Vietnam-Algeria relations was introduced, along with the screening of “Fleur de Lotus”, a film by an Algerian filmmaker on a romance between an Algerian soldier and a Vietnamese woman during the war in Vietnam.

A conference on cooperation between the two countries was also held, together with an exhibition showcasing photos and publications on diplomatic ties between the two countries, and a banquet hosted by the embassy.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru said that Vietnam and Algeria have enjoyed sound relations even before they set up diplomatic relations in 1962.

The two countries have supported each other not only in their past struggle against invaders, but also in national development.

Vietnam was among the first countries to recognise the provisional government of Algeria in 1958. Only a month after the two sides set up diplomatic relations, Vietnam opened its embassy in the country, said the diplomat.

He also noted that the two countries have signed about 30 bilateral cooperation agreements in various fields, while the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee meets every two years, boosting bilateral partnership.

For his part, Boumedienne Guennad from Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the warm sentiments that people of both countries have for each other as well as achievements in bilateral partnership over the past 55 years.

He expressed his belief that bilateral ties will thrive in the future, especially in diplomacy and trade.

Statistics showed that two-way trade between Vietnam and Algeria has grown well every year, reaching about 270 million USD in 2016 and is likely to hit 300 million USD in 2017.

The two sides are working together to raise the figure to 1 billion USD in 2020. Algeria is currently the third largest partner of Vietnam in Africa.