Hanoi (VNA) – The embassies ofVietnam in Egypt, the US and the UK recently held ceremonies to celebrate the74th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945).

At a celebration in Cairo on September 12,Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Thanh Cong highlighted historical milestones andachievements in the fight for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity,and national reunification as well national reform and internationalintegration.

He said Vietnam has overcome challenges tomaintain economic growth, improve living standards and ensure nationaldefence-security.

While evaluating economic cooperation prospectsbetween the two countries, the ambassador said Vietnamese businesses could workwith Egypt in agriculture and oil and gas.

The two sides are scheduled to hold anintergovernmental committee in the near future to remove difficulties ineconomic cooperation and help their businesses understand each other better.

Egyptian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs HanySelim said Egypt and Vietnam are close friends. The two countries enjoy soundpolitical ties and close coordination at international forums, he added.

Egypt wants to attract more investment from Vietnam,he said, adding that Egypt could become a gateway for Vietnamese enterprises toenter other African markets, especially after the launch of the AfricaContinental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Earlier on September 11, the Embassy of Vietnamin the US held a reception in celebration of the National Day.

The event saw senior officials from the US government and Congress as well asambassadors from Russia, Cuba and countries from the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), international friends and overseas Vietnamese.

Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc highlightedthe significance of the National Day. As a non-permanent member of the UNSecurity Council for 2020-2021 and ASEAN Chair 2020, Vietnam will continuemaking contributions to regional and global peace, security and cooperation.

The Vietnam-US partnership has seen dynamicdevelopment in all nine cooperation pillars on the basis of mutualunderstanding and respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrityand political institutions.

Vietnam has work to balance trade between thetwo countries and open doors wider for US goods, he said.

Both Vietnam and the US share strategic benefitsin settling regional and international issues, especially reinforcing peace,security, cooperation and rules-based order in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,ensuring navigation and aviation safety and freedom, and legal economicactivities in the East Sea, Ngoc said.

The two countries have coordinated to boostcooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in fields of mutual concernsuch as infrastructure, energy and water resources security, he said, addingthat Vietnam is making contributions to negotiations between the US and theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The ambassador thanked the US, ASEAN membercountries and the international community for supporting Vietnam in developingthe nation and safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also appreciated efforts of the overseasVietnamese community in the US to promote bilateral relations.

David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary ofState for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Vietnam andthe US have cooperated to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region,including security challenges in the GMS, contributing to maintaining apeaceful and prosperous region.

Deputy Assistant to the President and SeniorDirector for Asia at the National Security Council (NSC) Matt Pottingerconveyed the congratulations of US President Donald Trump on Vietnam’s NationalDay.

The US thanked Vietnam for hosting the secondUS-DPRK summit in Hanoi, he said, adding that the US is supporting Vietnam indefending national independence and sovereignty in the East Sea.

US Congressman Ted Yoho said bilateral relationsare developing in all fields, especially trade, defence, settlement of post-warconsequences and regional issues. 

The same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in the UKheld a celebration of the 74th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day in London.

Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Ngoc An highlightedthe development path and foreign policies of Vietnam in economy, environment,traditional and non-traditional security. 

Minister of State at the Departmentfor International Trade Conor Burns said the UK pays greatattention to developing relations with Vietnam and wants to sign a bilateralfree trade agreement after leaving the EU./.