On the afternoon of October 23, President of the South African Republic Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Vietnam, starting a state visit from October 23-24, at the invitation of Politburo member and President Luong Cuong.
President Luong Cuong held talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa right after the solemn welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace. The talks also had the participation of high-ranking delegations from both countries.
At the talks, President Luong Cuong was pleased to welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa back to Vietnam, congratulating South Africa on the important achievements it has made under the leadership of the Government of National Solidarity.
President Luong Cuong expressed his confidence that South Africa will successfully assume the role of G20 Chair in 2025, successfully organize the first G20 Summit in Africa and continue to be the leading developed economy in the continent, having an important voice in international forums.
President Luong Cuong affirmed that Vietnam and South Africa have a historic close relationship, stemming from the common ideal of independence, freedom and the noble spirit of solidarity between Asia and Africa.
Looking back at the relationship between the two countries in recent times, President Luong Cuong said that the two sides have achieved very important achievements, political trust has been constantly consolidated and connected through all channels of the Party, State and parliament.
President Luong Cuong emphasized that economic cooperation is increasingly developing, making South Africa Vietnam's leading trade partner in Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that this visit to Vietnam by the South African delegation has many veteran Ministers in important fields, demonstrating the importance of the long-standing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
The President affirmed that Vietnam is a close friend and important partner of South Africa in the Asian region, emphasizing that this visit is also to demonstrate South Africa's determination to strengthen and develop relations with Vietnam.
President Luong Cuong and President Cyril Ramaphosa have agreed on the orientation and strived to complete the procedures to soon upgrade the framework of bilateral relations between Vietnam and South Africa to a Strategic Partnership in 2025.
Both leaders agreed to further deepen political closeness and trust through increasing delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level delegations on all channels of the Party, State, National Assembly as well as between ministries, departments, branches, localities and enterprises.
The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in important areas such as economy, defense, security, energy, mining, manufacturing industry, agriculture, peacekeeping, education, vocational training, infrastructure, green economy, and coordinate the organization of people-to-people exchanges, art, culture, sports and tourism exchanges.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides affirmed to continue to coordinate, cooperate closely, support each other at multilateral forums and on international and regional issues; agreed to promote dispute resolution by peaceful means.
At the end of the talks, President Luong Cuong and President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the press.
