Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung on November 26 received Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.
Welcoming the Palestinian minister, Dung stressed that her visit holds special significance as it marks the first exchange at the foreign minister level between the two countries since they established diplomatic ties. He expressed his belief that the visit will help strengthen mutual understanding and open new directions for more substantive cooperation.
The Deputy PM conveyed thanks to the government and people of Palestine for extending sympathy to Vietnam over losses caused by recent storms and floods in the central region.
Sharing deep sympathy with the hardships faced by the Palestinian people, Dung affirmed that Vietnam has closely followed developments in Palestine and supports all efforts aimed at ending violence, protecting civilians, and promoting a sustainable, peaceful solution.
Regarding the bilateral relations, he highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries and noted that political and people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened.
The Deputy PM proposed both sides work together to make cooperation more substantive and effective, particularly through the exchange of high-level delegations, expanding trade cooperation, and facilitating business exchanges to explore market opportunities and investment. Dung said Vietnam stands ready to support Palestine in exporting agricultural products, seafood, garments, and footwear in which Vietnam has strong advantages. He also called for boosting people-to-people exchanges through cooperation between friendship organisations and the two communities.
Aghabekian Shahin thanked the Deputy PM for the warm reception and conveyed greetings from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to Party and State leaders and the people of Vietnam. She also extended condolences to Vietnam over the damage caused by recent storm and floods.
Expressing appreciation for Vietnam’s long-standing support for Palestine at international forums, the minister stressed that such support carries profound significance for Palestine’s struggle for freedom. She thanked Vietnam for its assistance to the Palestinian Embassy in Hanoi, helping it maintain effective operations.
The minister said Palestine wants to promote the bilateral ties and hopes Vietnam will share its experience in areas where it has strengths. She underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges and shared her positive impression after visiting a Vietnamese university offering Arabic-language courses, where she met many Vietnamese students who are fluent in Arabic, an encouraging sign of interest in Palestinian culture./.
Vietnam reiterates steadfast support for Palestine
Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac affirmed Vietnam’s consistent position of supporting the just struggle of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.
