Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Saudi Arabian Ambassador Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the Lunar NewYear 2024, he laid stress on the visit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh andhis entourage to Saudi Arabia last October, affirming that it has helped elevate the bilateral ties, and positively contributed toconnecting the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the GulfCooperation Council (GCC).
During the visit, the first working trip of a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia and the second of a Vietnamese high-level leader in 13 years, the two sidesorganised the Vietnam – Saudi Arabia business forum, and signed fivecooperative documents in the areas of judiciary, foreign affairs, crimeprevention, tourism and trade promotion, helping complete legal frameworks andcreate favourable conditions for future bilateral cooperation, the ambassador noted.
According to him, Saudi Arabia attaches importance to developing collaborative ties with Vietnamin various fields, which is reflected through the working trip to Vietnam by Ministerof Tourism Ahmed Mibin Aqeel-Khateeb, and successful organisation of the Vietnam– Saudi Arabia business forum and the fifth meeting of the Vietnam – Saudi ArabiaIntergovernmental Committee.
He added that both sides worked closely and supported each other at the regional and internationalforums, while negotiating various agreements to shape up a foundation toconsolidate the bilateral relations.
In particular, economic cooperation was a highlight in the ties in2023, with Saudi Arabia being Vietnam’s leading economic partner in the Middle Eastand two-way trade reaching 2.68 billion USD, the diplomat said.
Building on the achievements that the two nations have carved out over years, theSaudi Arabian Embassy will continue to consolidate the existing cooperationmechanisms, promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, and serve as abridge to connect the two peoples.
This year, the embassy will organise a series of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (October 21,1999-2024) with culture and art exchanges, exhibitions, and trade promotion eventson schedule.
Expressing his hope that the year 2024 will bring Vietnam new achievements, hewished Vietnam will stay strong and prosperous, and develop strongly to become one of the "economic dragons" in the region.
He said he wants to make further contributions to the Vietnam –Saudi Arabia cooperation in the time ahead./.
VNA
