South Africa, Vietnam deepen cooperation

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South Africa’s Deputy President Mashatile and Mrs. Mashatile arrive at the Main Entrance of the Presidential Palace and are welcomed by Ms. Võ Thị Ánh Xuân, Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Deputy President is on a working visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

South Africa and Vietnam enjoy friendly and constructive relations grounded in a shared history of struggle against colonialism and to achieve national freedom, and the two countries share common values such as the pursuit of multilateral cooperation, peace, and the progressive reform of the institutions of global governance to counter geopolitical inequalities.

South Africa and Vietnam also celebrate 30 years of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations this year.

In the course of the last 30 years, several bilateral legal instruments have been established in various areas of cooperation. The two countries operate an Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum for Economic, Trade, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural cooperation, aimed at facilitating cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The Deputy President’s visit follows the visit to South Africa of the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, HE Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, in September this year, where she extended an invitation to the Deputy President to pay a reciprocal official visit to mark the 30-year milestone and further strengthen bilateral ties.

As part of his duties in Vietnam, the Deputy President will hold official talks with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, meet Prime Minister HE Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, and pay a courtesy call to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, HE Mr Vo Van Thong.

He will also meet with the CEOs of some of Vietnam’s largest companies that are looking either to invest in or source goods and services from South Africa. He will also interact with African ambassadors to Vietnam.

The Deputy President is accompanied in Vietnam by the Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry, and Competition Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Maggie Sotyu, and senior government officials.