Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit promises to lift Vietnam-Algeria relations to new heights

Here is the interview content:

Photo caption — Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh. Photo: Nguyen An/VNA reporter in Algeria

Ambassador, please evaluate the current relationship between Algeria and Vietnam?

As you know, the Vietnam - Algeria relationship has a very special history. This is a relationship built on the foundation of sympathy for the aspiration for peace and independence, based on the spirit of solidarity and mutual support during the period of struggle for independence and national liberation.

This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (October 28, 1962 - October 28, 2025), but in fact, this relationship had been nurtured and developed before that. As early as the 1950s, a number of Algerian soldiers - foreign legionnaires forced to serve the French - had transferred to fight in the Viet Minh. They later became the core of the Algerian liberation revolution. In 1958, Vietnam was one of the first Asian countries to recognize the Provisional Government of the Republic of Algeria, at a time when Algeria was not yet recognized by many countries. Conversely, Algeria was also one of the African countries that most enthusiastically supported Vietnam during the period of resistance against the US to save the country as well as the period of national construction and development later.

On that solid foundation, the relationship between the two countries is increasingly cultivated, consolidated and expanded. The two countries maintain high political trust, regularly supporting each other in international and regional forums. In the field of trade and investment, the two countries have made many remarkable efforts. Algeria is currently one of Vietnam's important trade partners in Africa. Two-way trade turnover from the beginning of 2025 to now has reached over 450 million USD. In particular, the joint venture project of oil and gas exploitation of the Vietnam National Energy Industry Group ( PETROVIETNAM ) in Algeria is one of PETROVIETNAM's most successful foreign investment projects and a bright spot for bilateral economic cooperation.

In addition, the Vietnamese philosophy of life and martial spirit are spread through nearly 30,000 Vovinam (Vietnamese Martial Arts) students in Algeria. Exchange between the two peoples has also developed strongly. More and more Algerian youths come to Vietnam to seek job opportunities. The people of the two countries always have a special affection for each other that few peoples in the world have.

In short, the relationship between Vietnam and Algeria is a valuable asset built over the course of history, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and many generations of leaders of the two countries, and strengthened by current cooperation. It is our responsibility to preserve, promote and bring this relationship to a new height, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for the peace and development of humanity.

According to the Ambassador, what are the advantages and difficulties in enhancing cooperation between the two countries?

In my opinion, the deep political trust based on the traditional friendship built from the difficult years and the sympathy that the Algerian people have for Vietnamese culture and people is a priceless asset, a solid foundation for economic, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

Currently, with the potential and strengths of each side, the two countries are perfect complements to each other. Algeria has the largest area in Africa, nearly 8 times the area of Vietnam, is the gateway to Africa and has great potential for energy as well as raw materials. Meanwhile, Vietnam has strengths in agricultural production, processing and exporting high-quality goods. Vietnam is a strategic bridge for Algeria to access the Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific markets, while Algeria is also an important gateway for Vietnam to penetrate the African and Arab markets.

However, cooperation between the two countries, especially business and investment cooperation, also faces many challenges. First of all, geographical distance and logistics costs limit the ability to trade goods between the two countries. In addition, businesses on both sides lack information about the investment environment, laws and each other's needs. Differences in language, business culture, legal systems and technical standards are also barriers that make bilateral cooperation not commensurate with the potential and desires of both sides.

So, Ambassador, please tell us what the two sides need to do to achieve substantive cooperation results in the near future?

I believe that in order to achieve substantive cooperation results in the coming time, the two sides need to focus on resolving the challenges mentioned and fully exploiting each other’s strengths. Solutions need to focus on key pillars such as perfecting the legal framework, prioritizing economic-trade-investment cooperation and enhancing logistics connectivity.

Regarding the legal framework, it is necessary to create mechanisms to help investors and businesses of the two countries feel secure when operating in each other's markets, minimizing legal risks and financial costs. The two sides need to research and issue bilateral incentive policies, especially for large, strategic investment projects that are suitable to the strengths of each country. In addition, the representative agencies of the two countries need to strengthen their role as focal points in coordinating with ministries, branches and functional agencies to promote the organization of cooperation forums, business forums, increase the provision of market information and support partner connections.

With the determination of the leaders of the two countries in elevating the Vietnam - Algeria relationship to a new height, I firmly believe that the two countries will soon overcome the limitations in cooperation in the past, moving towards a comprehensive partnership, mutual respect and mutual benefit, worthy of the foundation of good traditional friendship as well as the new role and position of each country in the region and on the international arena.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/chuyen-tham-cua-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-hua-hen-nang-quan-he-viet-nam-algeria-len-tam-cao-moi-20251116193246035.htm