The visit of the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to Vietnam has many important meanings.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco and Guinea-Bissau Le Kim Quy. Photo: Hong Minh/VNA correspondent in Africa

Could you please tell us the significance of the official visit of Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló to Vietnam?

At the invitation of General Secretary andPresident To Lam and his wife, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam from September 5 to 8. The visit has many important meanings for both Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau, as shown in the following main points:

Welcoming the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a step to implement the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress on independence, self-reliance for peace , friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization, diversification and comprehensive and deep international integration. The visit also contributes to the implementation of the Project "Developing Relations between Vietnam and Middle Eastern and African Countries in the 2016-2025 period".

The visit of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló marks the resumption of high-level delegation exchanges between the two countries after three decades, and is the first head-of-state visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. The visit opens a new and promising phase in the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

At the regional level, General Secretary and President To Lam’s welcoming of African heads of state, including the President of Guinea-Bissau, in the first months of his new position demonstrates Vietnam’s respect, close affection and loyalty towards its traditional African friends. Originating from the wholehearted support for each other during the struggle for national independence, the relationship between Vietnam and these continents has been continuously strengthened and nurtured during the period of national construction and development, becoming a model and testament to the strength of South-South cooperation.

Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations on September 30, 1973. How does the Ambassador assess the relationship between the two countries after more than 50 years?

Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau officially established diplomatic relations on September 30, 1973, just one week after Guinea-Bissau declared independence and Vietnam was in the midst of a resistance war to unify the country.

Over the past five decades, the two countries have maintained good political relations. The two sides have exchanged delegations, including high-level ones, since the late 1970s. Guinea-Bissau has actively supported Vietnam at multilateral forums. Last July, Guinea-Bissau was one of two African countries sending delegations to pay their respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In the economic field, bilateral trade cooperation is prominent. Although still modest, the exchange turnover between Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau has continuously increased, from 56.1 million USD in 2020 to nearly 170 million USD in 2023. Guinea-Bissau is currently one of the five largest African countries supplying raw cashew nuts to Vietnam, making Vietnam the third largest export market of Guinea-Bissau.

However, cooperation between Vietnam and Guinea Bissau has not yet met the needs and potential of each side. During her visit to Vietnam in July 2024, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau Nancy Raisa Cardoso affirmed that Guinea-Bissau considers Vietnam a priority partner in its foreign policy and is ready to expand practical and effective cooperation in all areas in the coming time.

This visit by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló is his first visit to Vietnam since taking office in February 2020 and takes place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in 2023. The visit is not only an opportunity for both sides to review the past journey but is also expected to create a new turning point for the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau.

According to the Ambassador, what should the two countries do to promote bilateral cooperation, especially in key areas such as economy, trade and agriculture?

Good political relations are a common asset and valuable asset between the two countries, which need to be further consolidated and promoted, creating a foundation and impetus for expanding cooperation in various fields, especially economic ones. On that basis, the two sides need to actively promote delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, including delegations from ministries, sectors, enterprises and localities, to enhance understanding and seek cooperation opportunities in each other's areas of strength.

The two sides also need to promote their role as bridges, supporting each other to strengthen cooperation at the regional level such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ASEAN, etc. The two sides will identify priority areas of cooperation, in line with the needs and strengths of each side such as trade, agriculture, maritime transport, infrastructure, etc. To contribute to diversifying resources, in addition to the bilateral framework, the two sides should study promoting cooperation according to the three- and four-party model.

Regarding trade exchange, besides key products such as cashew nuts, the two sides need to create conditions for market access and diversify exchange items such as agricultural products, textiles, agricultural machinery, etc.

The two sides also need to strengthen the legal framework for cooperation by promoting negotiations and signing important documents on trade, agriculture, investment promotion and protection, and double taxation avoidance.

To contribute to the implementation of these major orientations, the Foreign Ministries of the two countries need to continue to proactively and actively promote their pioneering, bridging, consulting, coordinating and supporting roles for ministries, branches, businesses and localities of the two sides in implementing cooperation.

Thank you very much Ambassador!