Vietnam and Angola have agreed to better tap cooperation chances and make it easier for their firms to forge partnership and investment, particularly in construction and oil and gas survey and exploration.

The agreement was the result of Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s visit to Angola from August 7-8, during which he held talks, meetings and working sessions with many Angolan leaders, including Vice President Manuel Vicente, Foreign Minister Georges Rebelo Chicoti, Minister of Oil Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos and Minister of Public Administration, Employment and Social Security Antonio Domingos Pitra Neto da Costa.

The two sides shared the view that two-way trade, though constantly growing in recent years, is yet to match bilateral potentials and aspirations. They affirmed to make more efforts to further bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.

In particular, the two sides agreed to make the most of Vietnam ’s farming expertise and techniques for application in Angola , helping the African country achieve food security.

They also vowed to maintain technical and labour cooperation, on the basis of the effectiveness of their expert exchange programme. Noting the potential of labour cooperation, the two sides agreed to conduct negotiations for the early signing of a framework agreement on cooperation in social welfare, poverty reduction, labour and vocational training.

The Angola side pledged support for Vietnamese citizens living and working in the country.
Foreign Minister Minh took the occasion to reiterate Vietnam’s policy of attaching importance to strengthening relations with Africa, in which Angola is both a traditional friend and an important partner.-VNA.