On February 16, Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt and Sudan Pham Sy Tam presented his credentials to Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed El Bashir.

The Sudanese President expressed his delight at the positive development of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Sudan in recent years and praised the tremendous achievements the Vietnamese people have recorded in the post-war period including their rapid development in agriculture, industry and economics, particularly in rice export.

Fine cooperation between the two countries has resulted in Sudan’s decision to open an embassy in Hanoi and send its first resident ambassador to Vietnam. Vietnam sets a bright example for Sudan in the struggle for national independence and economic development. Organising the first session of the Vietnam-Sudan inter-government committee will offer a good opportunity for the two countries to work out cooperation plans for their mutual benefit, said President Bashir.

The Sudanese top leader asked Mr Tam to covey his regards to Party leader Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong.

For his part, Ambassador Tam conveyed greetings from Party and State leaders to the Sudanese President and people and spoke warmly of Sudan’s efforts to open an embassy in Vietnam and exchange high-level delegations to promote cooperation. Mr Tam praised the Sudanese Government’s goodwill evidenced in its signing of the 2005 peace agreement and its preparations for upcoming elections.

Earlier, on February 15, Mr Tam met with the Sudanese Foreign Minister.