Pretoria (VNA) – A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac paid a working visit to South Africa from September 22 to October 2.

During the visit, the delegation had meetings with leaders of political parties and the State of South Africa, including President of South Africa and President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa, Speaker of the South African National Assembly Thokozile Didiza, and General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Solly Mapaila.

At these meetings, Trac, who is also Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Corruption and Negative Phenomena Prevention and Control and Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, said he believes that with its long tradition and the support of South African people, under the sound leadership of President and ANC President Ramaphosa, the ANC will continue to lead the government and people of South Africa to gain new successes, build a nation of peace, stability and development, and increasingly enhance its important role and position in the region and the world.

Expressing the desire to continue to consolidate, promote and deepen the relationship between the two Parties and two countries, Trac suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations. They should promote the exchange of information, leadership experience, Party building, and socio-economic development, while encouraging solidarity and friendship between political and social organisations of the two countries.

He also proposed signing cooperation documents between the two Parties, strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas where both sides have strengths and needs, such as agriculture, minerals, garment-textiles, and pharmaceuticals. They should continue to support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations. South Africa supports Vietnam in enhancing cooperation with the African Union (AU) and organisations of which South Africa is a member such as the Southern African Customs Union.

On this occasion, Trac conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from Vietnamese leaders to leaders of the Party and State of South Africa.

Meeting with ANC President and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Trac affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always attach importance to and pay attention to promoting friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with traditional countries in the African region, including the ANC and South Africa.

Ramaphosa expressed his admiration for the achievements of the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, economic development, and improvement of people's life that Vietnam has achieved under the leadership of the CPV and wished to learn from Vietnam's experience.

At the meeting with the Speaker of the South African NA Thokozile Didiza, both sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges, share experience in operation and law-making activities between the two NAs, and continue working closely and offering mutual support at regional and global inter-parliamentary mechanisms.

While their stay in South Africa, Trac and his entourage had a working session with ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula and held talks with ANC First Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane, during which the two sides discussed achievements, difficulties and challenges in the process of economic development, national construction, Party building, and economic development.

The ANC leaders said they will soon send a delegation to Vietnam to learn experience of the CPV, especially in Party building and socio-economic development.

At the meeting with SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, Trac also affirmed that the CPV treasures to strengthen the relationship with the SACP. Vietnam appreciates the support of the SACP in promoting the relationship between the two states and people.

♔ During their stay in South Africa, the delegation visited and had a working session with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and met with the Vietnamese community in South Africa./.