Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi (Photo: VNA) The commemoration is an opportunity to celebratethe friendship between the two countries’ people, to assess the progress ofcooperation between our two countries and to reflect on the best ways tostrengthen and broaden the scope of this cooperation, the diplomat said.
Noting that relations between Morocco and Vietnamexisted long before the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961, he said theshared interest in strengthening collaboration between the two countriesreflects their common desire to promote and consolidate South-South cooperation,and respond to global economic, political, social and environmental challenges,mainly through the sharing of experiences and good practices, and the promotionof knowledge and expertise among developing countries.
In terms of politics, Morocco and Vietnam share several fundamental principles relatingto their external relations, and pledge to implement the principle of settling disputesthrough dialogue, negotiation and mediation.
The two countries’ political ties have been also strengthened via increasing theexchange of high-level delegations, at government and parliamentary level.
The visit by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Morocco inMarch 2019, and the tour of Vietnam by President of the House ofRepresentatives of Morocco Habib El Malki in December 2017 were milestones infostering political and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, hesaid.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Morocco (R) welcomed by President of the House of Representatives of Morocco Habib El Malki during the former's visit to Morocco in March 2019 (Photo: VNA) Morocco and Vietnam have maintained regular consultations, through the JointCommittee mechanism. The two countries have so far held four joint committee meetingsand five political consultation sessions. The 5th meeting of the JointCommittee and the 6th session of bilateral political consultations are scheduledfor next November in Rabat, he added.
On the economic aspect, the positive development of bilateral cooperation isreflected by an increase in trade of nearly 50 percent during 2015 and 2019. Vietnamis currently Morocco’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Bilateral economic relations have been strengthened by thesigning of trade agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between theministries in charge of trade. A trade agreement was recently signed betweenthe Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry,Investment, Trade and Digital Economy of Morocco to promote cooperation in manyareas of common interest, such as renewable energies, textiles, clothing,electronics and mechanical industries, chemical industry and fertiliserproduction.
A MoU between the two ministries in charge of trade was also signed recently onthe establishment of a subcommittee on trade and industrial cooperation withthe aim of promoting bilateral trade and supporting SMEs.
Meanwhile, he noted that the two sides aredetermined to strengthen and expand their bilateral partnership. This isevidenced by the growing number of agreements signed between the two countries,which cover a wide range of sectors such as trade and investment, energy andmining, banking, education and training, air services, as well as MoUs betweenseveral universities and cities of the two countries.
Although bilateral trade has yet to reach its potential and met both sides’expectations, it is growing year by year, he said.
Morocco’s upcoming appointment an Honorary Consulin Ho Chi Minh City is expected to give new impetus to trade and businessopportunities between the two countries, he said, adding that plans and visionsboth are looking towards in terms of renewable energies, digitaltransformation, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and logistics, industrialand technological acceleration, with the aim of becoming leading emergingeconomies in their respective regions, should be opportunities for Morocco andVietnam to share their experience, expertise and know-how through theestablishment of joint sectoral committees in the areas.
The ambassador highlighted a virtual photoexhibition on historical and remarkable landmarks since the establishment ofdiplomatic relations between the two countries. The exhibition has been organisedby the Moroccan Embassy in Hanoi the VNA.
A series of economic and cultural events will beheld through 2021 with the participation of heads of ministries and departmentsas well as experts, scientists and researchers, he added.
He held that Vietnam is now one of the few countries to successfully achievethe dual targets of combating COVID-19 pandemic and boosting economic development.
He attributed the success to the leadership of theCommunist Party of Vietnam in applying measures to combat the pandemic andencouraging the involvement of all people in the fight./.
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