Vietnam bolsters partnership with Cameroon

Pretoria (VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam has made a three-day visit to Cameroon as special envoy of President Tran Dai Quang to boost ties between the two countries, especially in trade and investment.

During the April 11-13 tour as part of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Cameroon diplomatic relations, Nam handed over President Tran Dai Quang’s letter to Cameroon President Paul Biya to invite the Cameroon leader to visit Vietnam.

The Deputy FM also paid courtesy calls to Cameroon Prime Minister Plhilemon Yang and Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella, while holding working sessions with several ministers.

At the meetings, Nam thanked the Government and people of Cameroon for their support to Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation and construction. He lauded Cameroon’s coordination with Vietnam at international forums.

The Cameroon side took note of Vietnam’s request for its support of Vietnam’s candidacy for the positions of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and Director-General of UNESCO in the 2017-2021 tenure.

The Deputy FM briefed the hosts on the East Sea situation and Vietnam’s consistent stance of dealing with disputes peacefully and with respect for international law.

Cameroon officials praised Vietnam’s position of using dialogue to settle disputes, highlighting that all countries should respect the principle of territorial integrity, working together to maintain peace and observe international law.

Cameroon asserted that all parties should coordinate to preserve forest and sea resources as a shared asset of humanity.

The two sides expressed delight at the progress of negotiations on the double-taxation avoidance and investment encouragement agreements in early March this year in Hanoi.

They acknowledged the completion of a draft agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, hoping to sign the deal soon.

They agreed to increase the exchange of business delegations and the organisation of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2017.

Vietnam proposed that Cameroon consider signing a memorandum of understanding on trading of rice and industrial cooperation.

Deputy FM Nam also conveyed President Tran Dai Quang’s thanks to President Paul Biya and the Government of Cameroon for the support to Viettel Cameroon and projects of the Xuan Thien Chau Phi company in the country.

He expressed hope that Viettel Cameroon will be allowed to engage in developing telecommunication infrastructure and e-government in Cameroon, while Xuan Thien Chau Phi company will receive favourable conditions to strengthen rice production activities, through a tripartite partnership in the form of a public-private partnership in Lagdo.

The Cameroon side praised the initial success of the Vietnamese-invested projects in Cameroon, which contribute to the socio-economic growth of the country, while promising to continue assisting investors.

Deputy FM Nam also attended a meeting with Vietnamese community in Cameroon held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Nigeria and Cameroon.-VNA