Despite their geographical distance apart, Vietnam and South Africahave nurtured their traditional ties over the past two decades.
Since establishing diplomatic ties on December 22, 1993, before SouthAfrica’s first democratic election, Vietnam and South Africahave enjoyed numerous achievements, especially in politics, reflected bythe high-level meetings between leaders of both countries.
However, Vietnam-South Africa ties existed even before the officialestablishment of their diplomatic relationship – people from bothcountries united and supported each other during each nation’s strugglefor independence and freedom. The two countries shared numeroussimilarities in the challenges they faced during their past strugglesfor national liberation.
Over the past 20 years, anumber of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding on variousstrategic issues of mutual concern have been signed.
In August last year, South Africa hosted the second meeting of theVietnam-South Africa Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum, which drewthe participation of Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh. During theforum, both countries discussed bilateral relations and outlinedprioritised areas in order to not only strengthen their currentpolitical ties but also expand trade and tourism cooperation between thetwo countries.
South Africa is Vietnam’s toppartner in Africa, with two-way trade increasing from 200 million USDin 2007 to 640 million USD in 2011. The two countries are striving toincrease trade to 1 billion USD in the near future.
Holding an important position in the developing markets as well as theglobal economy, South Africa is one of the top ten economies inthe world with best infrastructure, financial services and bankingsystem, - a promising market for Vietnamese businesses.
It can also serve as a bridge linking Vietnam and the rest ofAfrica and 14 countries in the South African Development Community(SADC) with a population of over 250 million.
Theoccasion of the 19th Freedom Day of South Africa (April 27) and the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic ties is a chance forboth countries to review and further their cooperation for strongerdevelopment and prosperous societies in both countries.-VNA
Since establishing diplomatic ties on December 22, 1993, before SouthAfrica’s first democratic election, Vietnam and South Africahave enjoyed numerous achievements, especially in politics, reflected bythe high-level meetings between leaders of both countries.
However, Vietnam-South Africa ties existed even before the officialestablishment of their diplomatic relationship – people from bothcountries united and supported each other during each nation’s strugglefor independence and freedom. The two countries shared numeroussimilarities in the challenges they faced during their past strugglesfor national liberation.
Over the past 20 years, anumber of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding on variousstrategic issues of mutual concern have been signed.
In August last year, South Africa hosted the second meeting of theVietnam-South Africa Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum, which drewthe participation of Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh. During theforum, both countries discussed bilateral relations and outlinedprioritised areas in order to not only strengthen their currentpolitical ties but also expand trade and tourism cooperation between thetwo countries.
South Africa is Vietnam’s toppartner in Africa, with two-way trade increasing from 200 million USDin 2007 to 640 million USD in 2011. The two countries are striving toincrease trade to 1 billion USD in the near future.
Holding an important position in the developing markets as well as theglobal economy, South Africa is one of the top ten economies inthe world with best infrastructure, financial services and bankingsystem, - a promising market for Vietnamese businesses.
It can also serve as a bridge linking Vietnam and the rest ofAfrica and 14 countries in the South African Development Community(SADC) with a population of over 250 million.
Theoccasion of the 19th Freedom Day of South Africa (April 27) and the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic ties is a chance forboth countries to review and further their cooperation for strongerdevelopment and prosperous societies in both countries.-VNA
