Madagascar wishes to learn from Vietnam’s experience in poverty reduction and cooperate with the country on rice farming, Madagascan President Hery Rajaonarimampianina stated.

He made this remark while receiving the Vietnamese Ambassador to Madagascar and Mozambique, Nguyen Van Trung, who came to present his credentials in the capital of Antananarivo on September 10. This was the first time in five years that a Vietnamese diplomat presented credentials in Madagascar.

The leader expressed his hope that the two countries would strengthen cooperation and support each other in multi-lateral forums, especially in the Francophonie Organisation.

For his part, Ambassador Trung congratulated the Madagascan people on overcoming the difficulties faced when reintegrating themselves into the international community and reconstructing the country.

With their similar history in wet rice cultivation, Vietnam and Madagascar hold much potential for cooperation on agriculture, aquaculture, education and healthcare, he said.

The diplomat also informed his host of the Vietnamese Government’s decision to set up an honourary consulate in Madagascar to further promote Vietnam’s image and boost collaboration between the two sides.

The ambassador paid courtesy visits to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, and met with several ministers of Madagascar.

He also paid his respects to the late President Ho Chi Minh at Ho Chi Minh Square in Antananarivo.-VNA