Vietnam values its traditional friendship with South Africa, its close friend and first African partner with which it established a partnership for cooperation and development framework in 2004, State President Luong Cuong told visiting South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa during their talks in Hanoi on October 23.

President Cuong congratulated South Africa on significant achievements it has made under the leadership of the Government of National Unity (GNU), expressing his belief that the African country will successfully assume the G20 Presidency in 2025, host the first-ever G20 Summit in Africa, and continue to be a leading economy in the continent with a strong voice in international forums.

Highlighting the historic bond between Vietnam and South Africa, rooted in their shared ideals of independence, freedom, and the noble spirit of Afro-Asian solidarity, President Cuong stressed that even after seven decades, the spirit of solidarity between the two nations remains as strong as ever.

President Cuong underlined the significant achievements in bilateral relations in recent years, noting the strengthened political trust and close ties across Party, State, and parliamentary channels. He said that economic cooperation has been stronger, making South Africa Vietnam’s top trade partner in Africa. The two countries have also maintained close coordination in multilateral forums and on regional and international issues.

For his part, Ramaphosa expressed admiration for Vietnam’s resilience, and praised the country’s remarkable achievements over the 40-year “Doi moi” (renewal) processs, particularly its high economic growth and improvements in people’s living standards. The South African guest expressed support and appreciation for Vietnam’s hosting of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, and hailed Vietnam’s leading role in digital transformation efforts.

He noted that the South African delegation includes many ministers in key sectors, reflecting the high regard for the longstanding and multifaceted friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam is a close friend and key partner of South Africa in Asia, he stated, stressing that his trip demonstrates the South African state’s and government’s determination to strengthen and develop this important partnership as part of its strategy to expand markets amid significant transformations in the country and the world.

The two leaders agreed on orientations, and pledged to complete the necessary procedures to upgrade the bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in 2025, aiming to drive deeper cooperation between the two countries, for the benefit of their peoples, and for peace and development in the region and the world.

They committed to further deepening political trust through more frequent exchanges at all levels and across party, state, and parliamentary channels, and inter-agency exchanges; and enhance existing cooperation mechanisms and promptly hold the next sessions of the Vietnam – South Africa inter-governmental partnership forum, the political consutation between the two foreign ministries, the joint trade committee, and the defence policy dialogue.

The two sides agreed to promote trade and investment as a motivation and crucial measure to achieve qualitative improvements in economic ties, matching market size and demand while ensuring mutual benefits. The leaders urged opening markets to each other’s key products and businesses, facilitating access to regional markets.

They pledged to boost cooperation in key and high-potential areas such as defence, security, energy, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, peacekeeping, education, vocational training, infrastructure, and green economy. They also plan to coordinate in organising people-to-people exchange activities, including in arts, culture, sports, and tourism, to strengthen mutual understanding. The two countries will also work together to finalise the legal framework, particularly foundational agreements on mutual legal assistance, mineral exploitation, double taxation avoidance, and visa exemption for ordinary passport holders.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides affirmed to continue their close coordination, and support each other in multilateral forums and on global and regional matters. They agreed to promote the resolution of disputes by peaceful measures, refraining from the use or threat of force, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The South African President affirmed his country’s readiness to support Vietnam’s candidacies in UN bodies.

Vietnam called for South Africa’s support for ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, aiming to ensure peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, and to resolve disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two leaders met with the press following their talks the same day./.

Vietnam, South Africa usher in new chapter of more intensive and effective cooperation

Vietnam and South Africa have affirmed a shared commitment to elevate their bilateral relations and bolster collaboration across areas.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement at a joint press briefing following their talks in Hanoi on October 23 as part of the latter’s state visit to Vietnam from October 23 – 24.

President Cuong hailed the South African leader’s trip as a historic milestone which opens a new chapter to advance the bilateral relations for the benefit of their people as well as for peace and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam always attaches much importance to fostering the sound friendship with South Africa, he said, laying stress on the successful talks where both leaders reached consensus on orientations and measures to deepen the bilateral cooperation.

Notably, they concurred to upgrade the cooperation framework to a new height, laying groundwork for the political relations while creating breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment ties as well as other key areas.

Vietnam proposed South Africa further open market for its products and facilitate their entry not only into South Africa but also into the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Vietnamese side also called on South Africa to offer incentives for Vietnamese businesses to explore and invest in its market, while expressing readiness to welcome major South African corporations operating in the fields of technology, finance, and mining to invest in Vietnam.

Besides, President Cuong affirmed that both sides agreed to promote collaboration in significant and potential domains such as defence – security, energy, mining, agriculture, aquaculture, and local partnerships, while stepping up people-to-people exchanges, cultural and artistic activities, sports, and tourism to enhance mutual understanding.

Vietnam and Africa pledged to continue coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the UN, the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Non-Aligned Movement, serving as bridges to foster collaboration between their respective regions.

Vietnam called on South Africa to back ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue to ensure peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as settlement of disputes via peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The State President emphasised that both leaders were unanimous to encourage competent agencies to negotiate toward signing important agreements to establish a stronger legal framework for future cooperation.

He expressed his confidence that the Vietnam – South Africa partnership, built on the goodwill and sincere spirit, will develop in a deeper and more effective manner for the prosperity of the two regions and the world as a whole.

For his part, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted that the bilateral relationship has steadily expanded across diverse areas, including politics, economy, trade, investment, science and technology, education, defence, agriculture, justice, and biodiversity conservation. He affirmed that both sides are moving toward upgrading their ties to a strategic partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to comprehensive cooperation.

Seeing Vietnam as a key partner of South Africa in Southeast Asia, he expressed his interest in strengthening engagement with ASEAN, building on the spirit of solidarity of the Bandung Conference and the historical connections between the two continents.

The South African leader was also delighted as Vietnam accepted the invitation to attend the G20 Summit, considering it an opportunity for both nations to jointly promote multilateralism, peace, and shared prosperity.

President Ramaphosa expressed his belief that his visit will lay a solid foundation for more substantive cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global peace and development./. VNA