Opening a new phase of deeper and more effective cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa

Photo caption — President Luong Cuong and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at a press conference. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA.

On the afternoon of October 23, immediately following the state welcoming ceremony, President Luong Cuong and President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa led high-level delegations from both countries in talks. After the talks concluded, the two leaders held a press conference to inform the media about the results of the discussions.

Speaking at the press conference, President Luong Cuong expressed his pleasure in welcoming the President leading the high-level delegation of the Republic of South Africa on a state visit to Vietnam; affirming that the visit is of great significance, a historical milestone, opening a new chapter to promote and elevate Vietnam-South Africa relations for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace and development in the region and the world.

Highlighting that Vietnam always values and strengthens the good traditional friendship with South Africa, the President announced that he and the South African President had just held a very successful meeting, exchanging comprehensive views and reaching a high level of agreement on directions and measures to open a new phase of cooperation between the two countries, one that is deeper, broader, and more effective.

According to the President, both sides agreed on the direction of upgrading the bilateral cooperation framework to a new level in order to create a foundation for deepening political relations and creating breakthroughs in economic, trade, investment and other fields.

Both sides agreed to continue increasing bilateral trade turnover. Accordingly, Vietnam proposed that South Africa open its market to allow Vietnamese goods with strong potential to enter the South African market and, through South Africa, penetrate the Southern African Development Community (SADC) market; and requested South Africa to create favorable conditions and provide incentives for Vietnamese businesses to access, explore the market, and invest in South Africa. On the other hand, Vietnam is ready to create favorable conditions for large South African corporations in the fields of technology, finance, minerals, etc., to invest in Vietnam.

In addition, the President affirmed that both sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in important areas with great potential for cooperation such as defense, security, energy, minerals, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, and local cooperation; coordinating the organization of people-to-people exchanges, cultural and artistic exchanges, sports and tourism to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. At the same time, they agreed to continue to closely coordinate and share positions on regional and international issues, supporting each other in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the African Union, ASEAN, and the Non-Aligned Movement; and agreed to act as a bridge for each country in promoting cooperation with countries and organizations in each region.

Vietnam requested South Africa's support for ASEAN and Vietnam's stance on the East Sea issue to ensure peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and to resolve disputes peacefully on the basis of respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The President stated that the two leaders welcomed the Joint Statement on the results of the visit; and agreed to encourage relevant agencies of the two countries to actively exchange and negotiate towards signing important documents, creating a legal framework for bilateral cooperation and a solid legal foundation for cooperation and development of relations in the coming period.

The President firmly believes that, in a spirit of goodwill and sincerity, the Vietnam-South Africa cooperative relationship will continue to develop, deepen, and become more effective, for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the Asia-Africa region and the world.

For his part, South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude for the warm and respectful welcome extended to the delegation by the President, Government, and people of Vietnam, reflecting the spirit of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

The South African leader emphasized that this visit takes place at a symbolic time as Vietnam has just celebrated its 80th National Day – a milestone demonstrating the country's unwavering will, indomitable spirit, and remarkable development achievements; it is also an opportunity for both sides to reflect on the friendly and solidarity-based relationship built on peace, justice, and mutual respect since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed that South Africa-Vietnam relations are continuously expanding in many areas, from politics, economics, trade, and investment to science and technology, education, defense, agriculture, justice, and biodiversity conservation; and that the two countries are aiming to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to strengthening comprehensive cooperation.

Highlighting Vietnam as a key partner of South Africa in Southeast Asia, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his desire to promote relations with ASEAN, building on the spirit of solidarity of the Bandung Conference and the traditional ties between the two continents. He also expressed pleasure that Vietnam accepted the invitation to attend the G20 Summit, seeing it as an opportunity for the two countries to continue coordinating to promote multilateralism, peace, and shared prosperity.

The South African leader believes that this visit will lay the foundation for increasingly substantive cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries and making a positive contribution to regional and global peace and development.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/mo-ra-mot-giai-doan-hop-tac-moi-sau-rong-va-hieu-qua-hon-giua-viet-nam-va-nam-phi-20251023194303070.htm