A solemn ceremony was held in Hanoi on May 26 to mark the 48th African Day (May 25, 1963) and the establishment of the African Union (AU).

Speaking at the ceremony, co-organised by the diplomatic corps of African countries in Vietnam and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), South African Ambassador to Vietnam Ratubatsi Super Moloi vowed to boost all decisions made during the 2010 Vietnam-Africa International Workshop, especially measures to strengthen mutual understanding, expand foreign relations and complete legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms for trade and investment ties between Vietnam and African countries.

The AU was building and consolidating its mechanisms in order to ensure peace, democracy and development on the continent, he said.

Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan spoke highly of recent encouraging developments in Vietnam-Africa relations, reflected by numerous visits by leaders of Vietnam and African countries.

He said the two sides should make overall assessments on economic trade and cultural relations and formulate cooperative pathways in agriculture, energy, education and health, in order to build a partnership that matched the potential and expectations of the Vietnamese and African people.

The minister expressed his belief that the Vietnam-Africa relationship would further develop in the future for the benefit of both Vietnamese and African people, as well as for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.

On the occasion, the South African Ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 11 th National Party Congress and the elections of deputies to the 13 th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels./.