Towards a bright future of Vietnam-Egypt friendship and cooperation

NDO - On July 23, 2023, Egypt celebrated the 71st anniversary of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This year, Vietnam and Egypt celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (September 1, 1963 - September 1, 2023). On this occasion, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Vietnam, Ms. Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama, wrote an article about the positive developments in Vietnam-Egypt relations, and expressed her confidence in the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Egyptian Ambassador to Vietnam Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama for a courtesy visit on the occasion of the Ambassador taking up his new assignment in Vietnam.

This year, Egypt’s National Day marks the 71st anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of July 23, 1952. This event not only shaped modern Egyptian political history but also inspired other countries in other parts of the world, especially those fighting for independence. The First Republic of Egypt was established thereafter to begin the path of modernization, development and social justice in Egypt.

Not long after that, in the spirit of solidarity between peoples with the same desire for independence and development, Egypt and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1963. This year, the two countries will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the long-standing friendship between the two peoples.

In recent years, the friendship between Egypt and Vietnam has been especially evident politically through the historic state visits of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Vietnam in September 2017 and the late Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang to Egypt in August 2018. These visits have contributed to further promoting bilateral relations in all fields, including politics, economics, military, parliament and culture.

Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic relations between Egypt and Vietnam continue to grow. Bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly 600 million USD last year. In addition, Egypt and Vietnam have actively resumed the exchange of bilateral visits this year and the 9th Session of the Political Consultation between the two countries was held in Hanoi in September 2022. Currently, the two countries are working closely to prepare for the 6th Session of the Vietnam-Egypt Joint Commission in the coming months. This year, we also work closely to arrange high-level visits between the two countries and jointly organize cultural activities within the framework of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Egypt diplomatic relations.

Among the areas of cooperation between Egypt and Vietnam, cultural relations continue to be a very important pillar in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. A number of joint activities have taken place in recent times, including active participation in festivals and cultural events organized by the two countries; an increasing number of Vietnamese students choose to study Arabic in Egypt. This relationship contributes to raising awareness among the younger generation about the friendship between the two peoples, while strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.

Egypt hosted the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( COP 27 ) in November 2022, to address the major challenges facing the world due to climate change and discuss various commitments on the issue. The Vietnamese delegation led by Mr. Tran Hong Ha, then Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (now Deputy Prime Minister) attended this very important conference.

At the national level, the Egyptian Government has also launched a successful economic reform program since 2016, along with Egypt Vision 2030 which reflects the country's long-term strategic plan to achieve sustainable development principles and goals in all sectors.

Statue of Ramses II at Luxor Temple.

Egypt is also seeing real development across many sectors, with several cities now taking shape alongside the new administrative capital and an extensive network of roads and tunnels already under construction.

In addition, Egypt has launched several national initiatives such as "A Life of Prosperity", which contributes to improving the quality of public services for Egyptians, and the "Future of Egypt" project to reclaim and develop 1.5 million acres in Egypt.

Egypt has also adopted two national strategies in the fields of hydrogen and electric vehicle industry, and has successfully implemented programs related to renewable energy projects and electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, in addition to developing international and domestic ports and airports. In addition, the Suez Canal Economic Zone SCZONE is providing a business-friendly environment for investors, creating a foundation for national development plans.

On this occasion, I would like to congratulate Vietnam on its impressive socio-economic achievements in recent years, and believe that Egypt and Vietnam will continue to work together towards a bright future of the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

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