Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Algeria: 'Keeping the fire' of tradition, looking towards the future

On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's upcoming official visit to Algeria, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh shared with The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper about the significance and focus of the visit.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife are about to pay an official visit to Algeria. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Could the Ambassador share the significance and key contents of the visit to Algeria by the Vietnamese senior leader this time?

The official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Algeria has special political and diplomatic significance, affirming the determination of the two countries' leaders to inherit and promote the tradition of friendship over the past 60 years, bringing the Vietnam-Algeria relationship to a new height.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

This is also an opportunity for the two sides to review and promote existing cooperation mechanisms, while expanding substantive cooperation in the economic , scientific, technological and cultural fields in the context of the two countries moving towards diversifying partners and strengthening international ties.

The focus of the visit is on three main areas. Firstly, enhancing relations, promoting political dialogue, creating a legal basis and high political commitment to expand cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally. Secondly , promoting trade exchange, promoting bilateral investment, removing some existing problems in bilateral trade, exploiting advantages in agriculture, healthcare - pharmaceuticals, energy and digital transformation.

Third, create new momentum for people-to-people, cultural and educational exchange activities, continue to promote the historical legacy of friendship between the two nations. The two sides will sign a number of cooperation documents, thereby creating a favorable framework for businesses of the two countries to implement specific projects in the coming time.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Algerian Community Abroad and African Affairs Lounes Magramane co-chaired the 4th Vietnam-Algeria Political Consultation on October 27.

In a recent interview with the Algerian press, the Ambassador emphasized three key areas of cooperation between the two countries, including agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceutical industry, along with digital transformation and energy. Could the Ambassador elaborate on the potential of this cooperation picture?

These are strategic areas that can create new space for bilateral cooperation in the coming development period.

Regarding agriculture and food security, Algeria has a great demand for food, processed food and preservation technology while having a large cultivated area, diverse land resources and climate. Vietnam has strengths in breeding, production and processing technology. The two sides can cooperate in cultivation, post-harvest processing; share experience in managing green agricultural value chains, aquaculture and applying high technology to improve productivity and quality of agricultural products.

In health and pharmaceuticals, Vietnam has achieved many successes in the production of herbal medicines and biological products, drug addiction treatment, and has made great progress in practical medicine such as surgery and organ transplantation. Algeria is developing its health system and needs to increase its capacity to produce pharmaceuticals and biological products, and to train and exchange experiences in organ transplantation. This is an opportunity for both sides to research, establish joint ventures to produce medicines and medical equipment, and train human resources in this field.

Regarding digital transformation and energy, Algeria is a major energy country in North Africa and in the world. The Algerian government is making efforts to promote e-government and develop renewable energy. Vietnam has experience and strong businesses in the fields of information technology, solar energy and green energy. The two countries can coordinate to build pilot projects, share management experience and transfer technology.

In general, these three areas complement each other, agriculture needs modernization, digitalization of the supply chain, healthcare needs production capacity, training and logistics, energy and digital transformation are the foundation for all modernized services. Therefore, to promote strong development of cooperation between the two countries, it is necessary to implement the above areas synchronously and comprehensively.

Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh and delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnamese booth at an event promoting Vietnamese goods in Algeria. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria)

In the context of both countries expanding their investment attraction policies, especially when Algeria has just issued a new Investment Law, according to the Ambassador, what are the cooperation potentials and suggestions for Vietnamese businesses interested in the Algerian market?

Algeria’s new Investment Law and related reforms have created a more favorable legal environment for foreign investors. With a population of over 47 million and a strategic location as a gateway to Africa and the Mediterranean, Algeria has great potential in areas such as agro-processing, light industry, pharmaceuticals, information technology and renewable energy.

Vietnamese enterprises should have a systematic and long-term approach to the Algerian market. Initially, they need to carefully study the legal environment and business practices to take advantage of the Algerian government's investment incentive mechanism.

Enterprises should also pay attention to small and medium-sized projects, taking advantage of the joint venture model with local partners. Starting with specific projects, gradually expanding the scale, while carefully studying technical standards and market needs. The Embassy and the Vietnamese Trade Office in Algeria are always ready to support enterprises in connecting information, finding partners and promoting trade.

Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh introduced to local friends a photo exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam-Algeria relations on the occasion of Vietnam's National Day. (Source: VNA)

The traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria is a priceless spiritual heritage. Algeria is a country where people have never been to Vietnam but still understand about Dien Bien Phu, President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap... According to the Ambassador, what should the two countries do to further promote people-to-people diplomacy, foster and maintain the traditional friendship of more than 6 decades?

Many generations of Algerian people and leaders have reserved special trust and affection for Vietnam. This affection is a priceless spiritual heritage, a solid foundation for the two countries to continue building relations in the new era.

To “keep the fire burning” and further spread that friendship, we need to continue to use culture to connect localities, people, businesses, and through culture to spread good values ​​and positive images of Vietnam. In particular, Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy and foreign information need to be placed in a comprehensive strategy to strengthen relations with countries and regions and be invested selectively, with immediate priority given to countries like Algeria.

Community work needs to continue to be promoted with special support policies, taking into account local factors. At the same time, the two countries need to continue to pay attention to creating conditions for traditional Vietnamese martial arts, especially Vovinam, to develop into one of the important bridges connecting the youth of the two countries.

In addition, cultural exchange activities, photo exhibitions, film screenings, scholarship programs and student exchanges need to be expanded. At the same time, the story of Vietnam-Algeria friendship needs to be retold in a new, more vivid and closer language to the youth.

The Embassy will continue to accompany agencies and organizations of the two countries to materialize these activities, contributing to renewing and deepening the special friendship between the people of the two countries.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-tham-algeria-giu-lua-truyen-thong-huong-den-tuong-lai-334311.html