President’s visit to Ethiopia to enhance bilateral relations

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang is paying a state visit to Ethiopia from August 23-25, aiming to discuss measures to boost bilateral ties, particularly in economics and trade.

In an interview with Ethiopian press ahead of the visit, President Quang expressed his delight at leading a delegation to Ethiopia, saying that it is the first visit by a State leader of Vietnam to the African country since the two set up diplomatic ties in 1976.

Vietnam attaches importance to maintaining its traditional friendship and fostering collaboration with Ethiopia.

However, in recent years, the two countries have not organised delegation exchanges regularly, and economic and trade cooperation has failed to meet potential.

“During this visit, I will hold talks with President Mulatu Teshome and meet Prime Minister Abiy Admed and leaders of the House of Federation and the House of Peoples' Representatives to exchange views on orientations and measures to boost bilateral cooperation, with the focus on strengthening political trust, stepping up cooperation in economics, trade, investment and agriculture and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” Quang stated.

He added that he will use the occasion to meet leaders of the African Union (AU) to discuss how to intensify multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the AU and its members, and to coordinate effectively at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement and South-South Cooperation.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his belief that his visit will push bilateral ties into a new era of development.

He told reporters that economics and trade will be a main pillar in bilateral cooperation. With each country’s population at about 100 million, they hold many opportunities to expand exports to each other’s market.

Vietnam wants to ship farm produce, processed food, footwear, garment and textiles, seafood, electronic products, construction materials and rubber and wood products to Ethiopia.

Several Vietnamese enterprises have invested in Africa, and are considering pouring capital into Ethiopia. Therefore, the two countries should carry out preferential policies and help their enterprises promote trade and investment, Quang suggested.

It is also necessary to have an appropriate payment mechanism to ensure safety for business transactions, he said, stressing the need to speed up negotiations towards the signing of agreements to create a legal framework for business and investment activities.

Regarding Vietnam’s relations with Africa, President Quang stated Vietnam has to date established its diplomatic ties with 53 out of 55 African countries. Vietnam’s friendship and cooperation with African nations has grown well in many fields.

Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge for the AU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), boost comprehensive collaboration between the two continents and maintain close coordination at inter-regional and global forums, thus contributing to peace, cooperation, development and prosperity.-VNA