Hanoi (VNA) – Generations of Vietnamese leaders have attached muchimportance to cooperative relations with Tanzania who supported Vietnam duringthe struggle for national dependence, said Standing Deputy Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son.

Duringa talk with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African CooperationAugustine Mahiga in Hanoi on October 11, Deputy FM Son spoke highly of hisguest’s visit to Vietnam, saying that this is a good opportunity for bothcountries to bolster bilateral collaboration and enhance coordination atmultilateral mechanisms, helping to deepen cooperative relations.

The Tanzanian diplomat expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s impressiveachievements in national construction and development.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Minister Mahiga said that he supports the settlementof all the disputes by peaceful means, ensuring freedom of navigation andrespecting international regulations.

He also described ASEAN as a successful model for regional cooperation thatAfrican countries should follow.

At the talk, both diplomats agreed to strengthen bonds between the CommunistParty of Vietnam (CPV) and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi ruling party, saying that thiswill contribute to consolidating political trust between the two nations.

More delegation exchanges should be made at all levels and twin relations beset up between Vietnamese and Tanzanian localities, they added.

Besides suggesting that Tanzania open a representative office in Vietnam,Deputy FM Son also recommended opening a trade office in each country tofacilitate connections among enterprises.

Furthermore, they pledged to support each other at the United Nations and otherinternational organisations that Vietnam and Tanzania are members of. Deputy FMSon took the occasion to thank Tanzania for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy as anon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021tenure.

Augustine Mahiga said that he will work to foster relations between Vietnam andEast Africa, as well as the African Union (AU). Meanwhile, Son said thatVietnam stands ready to facilitate the flow of Tanzanian goods and services tobreak into the ASEAN market.

Son and his Tanzanian guest lauded the initial achievements in investmentcooperation between the two countries with the successful operation of Halotel,a member of the Viettel Group in the Africa. Augustine Mahiga laid stress onthe firm’s significant contributions to economic development and locals’ livelihoods.

They were unanimous in creating favourable conditions for trade exchanges witha view to increasing two-way trade revenue to 1 billion USD in the coming time,as set by leaders of the two countries. Therefore, they supported thesimplification of customs procedures, trade promotion, market research, and theestablishment of a rational payment mechanism for import-export activities.

Measures to step up collaboration in other potential sectors like defence-securityand agriculture-seafood were also discussed. –VNA