This morning, 24th May, the President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki paid an offficial visit to Vietnam and had conversation with President Nguyen Minh Triet.  

This is the first visit of South Africa president to Vietnam. The visit's purpose is to tie up the friendship between two countries and help their relationship becoming more and more beautiful. At the conversation, two parties came to agreement on all concerning matters. Leaders of two countries shared the same view in international and area matters, especially solution to strengthen relationship of the two countries in all fields. In terms of politics, solidarity and friendship have been making relationship between two countries better and better. Simultaneously, two parties speed up cooperation in economy, culture, science and technology, education, health, and so forth.

“It is regretted that it took long time for me to prepare for the visited to Vietnam. I am very happy because at least the visit has been made.”President Thabo Mbeki said.

The president confirms that he and South Africa people always “see Vietnam as part of their body”. While visiting Vietnam, he and his delegation “feel Vietnam as their house”.

In this visit, two parties have got 4 cooperated instruments. They get high degree of unanimity about other matters and they are preparing for the next contract, “There has been good and strong relationship between two countries. It is necessary for us to implement specific, realistic measures and steps”, said President of South Africa.

Vietnam and South Africa has a long-standing friendship. They have ever supported vigorously and cheer up each other in People competition and liberation. President Thabo Mbeki himself has competed for Vietnam’s liberation and had specific and practical actions to support Vietnamese competition. Nowadays, in the process of rebuilding country, Vietnam people have received support and close cooperation from South Africa people.

Currently, South Africa is the Vietnam’s biggest commercial partner in Africa continent. However, two parties see that they can do better to widen and strengthen their relationship. “There has bright future for two countries’ cooperation.” They should identify clearly which fields need to be intensively cooperated, such as investment, mine ores, irrigation, agriculture, etc.

President Nguyen Minh Triet said that “Vietnam and South Africa have had many cooperated programs. In the cooperation, Vietnam helped South Africa getting experiences in reducing poverty, solving agricultural matters, etc. In future, on the development path Vietnam will cooperate more intensively with South Africa in all fields. Inversely, South Africa can help Vietnam gain experiences in deeper WTO and World economy integration”.

South Africa president also expressed his high appreciation toward improvement and achievements which Vietnam gained in stimulating economy, reducing poverty and development. “In the area, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors. And South Africa can learn from Vietnam when faces with its own challenges.”

South Africa completely supports Vietnam to become unofficial member of UN Security Council in next terms 2008- 2009. Simultaneously, South Africa officially recognizes Vietnam as a market economy.

President Nguyen Minh Triet highly appreciated these movements of South Africa: “This is a meaningful action to Vietnam and it is the symbol of special emotion which South Africa president and his people give to Vietnam.

” On this afternoon, 25th May, South Africa president Thabo Mbeki will come to see Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and pay a visit to top-ranking general Vo Nguyen Giap, who is seen not only as a national hero but also as a fellow of South Africa’s leader, who brought hope and belief in South Africa liberation fight.

In 3 days in Vietnam, Mbeki and his delegation will visit Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, meet students of International Relation Institute. Next, the delegation will fly to Ho Chi Minh City to meet the city’s leader and attend Vietnam- South Africa Enterprises Forum.