President Luong Cuong holds talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

On the afternoon of October 23, right after the state-level welcoming ceremony solemnly held at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong held talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa and high-ranking delegations from the two countries.

Upgrading Vietnam-South Africa bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership in 2025

At the talks, the President affirmed that Vietnam and South Africa have a close historical relationship stemming from the common ideal of independence, freedom and the noble spirit of Asia-Africa solidarity. After 70 years, the spirit of solidarity between the two nations remains intact.

The President stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship with South Africa, a close friend and the first African partner with whom Vietnam established a partnership for cooperation and development in 2004.

President Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed that the South African delegation's visit to Vietnam this time includes many veteran ministers in important fields, demonstrating the importance of the long-standing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said Vietnam is a close friend and important partner of South Africa in the Asian region.

This visit aims to affirm the determination of the State and Government of South Africa in consolidating and developing the important partnership with Vietnam in the strategy of increasing market expansion in the context of many profound changes taking place in South Africa as well as in the world , according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

At the talks, the two leaders agreed on the orientation and strive to complete procedures to soon upgrade the Vietnam - South Africa bilateral relationship framework to Strategic Partnership in 2025, in order to create a strong impetus to develop the bilateral relationship in depth, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and peace and development in the region and the world.

The two leaders agreed to further deepen political closeness and trust through increasing the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations, through all channels of the Party, State, National Assembly as well as between ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises.

The two sides will more effectively deploy existing mechanisms, soon organize the next meetings of the Vietnam - South Africa Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, Political Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries, the Joint Trade Committee and the Defense Policy Dialogue.

Promoting cooperation in important and potential areas

In terms of economy, the two sides agreed to promote trade and investment cooperation as the driving force and central solution to create qualitative changes in economic cooperation, commensurate with the scale and market demand, ensuring balance of interests of both sides.

The two leaders proposed that the two countries open their markets for each side's strong goods and businesses to penetrate each other's markets and regional markets.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in important areas with great potential for cooperation such as defense, security, energy, mining, manufacturing industry, agriculture, peacekeeping, education, vocational training, infrastructure, green economy, etc.

At the same time, coordinate the organization of people-to-people exchange activities, art, culture, sports and tourism exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries...

At the talks, the two sides affirmed to continue to coordinate, cooperate closely, and support each other at multilateral forums and on international and regional issues. At the same time, they agreed to promote the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, not using or threatening to use force on the basis of respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.

President Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed that South Africa is ready to support Vietnam's candidacy at United Nations organizations.

Vietnam asked South Africa to support the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam on the East Sea issue to ensure peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and to resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-hoi-dam-voi-tong-thong-nam-phi-cyril-ramaphosa-20251023203047410.htm