Mr. Dung made the statement at a reception for Deputy President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe in Hanoi on October 6.

The PM expressed his pleasure at the development of Vietnam-South Africa relations, especially in economics and investment.

He spoke highly of South Africa’s role at multilateral forums and said he hopes the two countries will cooperate better at international forums.

Mr. Motlanthe passed President Jacob Juma’s congratulations to Vietnamese people on Thang Long – Hanoi millennial anniversary.

He said he hopes the Vietnam-South Africa joint intergovernmental meeting in 2011 will help bring the relationship to new heights.

The same day, at a meeting with Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, Kgalema Motlanthe expressed his desire to promote cooperative ties between the two Parties, increase information exchanges and share leadership experiences.

He said the traditional relationship between the ANC and the Vietnamese Communist Party was a solid foundation to foster bilateral ties.

Truong Tan Sang affirmed that Vietnam wishes to expand the bilateral cooperative ties, especially economic ties and trade with South Africa. He said he believed the fine relations between the two Parties and countries would achieve new progress for the mutual benefits of the two peoples.