The potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique is still very large.

The fourth meeting of the Vietnam-Mozambique Intergovernmental Committee on Economic , Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation took place in Maputo (Republic of Mozambique) on the afternoon of May 30, 2023. (Photo: Hong Minh/VNA)

On the occasion of VicePresident Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Mozambique, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Pham Hoang Kim gave an interview to the press about bilateral relations .

Here is the content of the interview:

– Could you please review the main features of the relationship between Vietnam and Mozambique?

Ambassador Pham Hoang Kim: Vietnam and Mozambique established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1975. There is something very special in the relationship between the two countries, which is that the day Mozambique declared independence was also the day the Vietnamese Government declared to the world its recognition of the independent Republic of Mozambique.

Immediately after establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam opened an embassy in Mozambique in 1976. This demonstrates the importance and desire to develop traditional friendship with Mozambique in particular and with African friends in general.

Since establishing relations, Vietnam and Mozambique have always given each other valuable support and assistance as well as warm feelings from the previous period of national liberation struggle.

Over the years, the traditional and friendly political and diplomatic relations have developed well, demonstrated through many high-level visits by leaders of the two countries.

The two countries have signed many cooperation agreements in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, science and technology, telecommunications, health, education and training, culture, security and defense, finance, banking, provincial cooperation, etc., creating conditions for ministries and branches to expand cooperation. The two countries have established important cooperation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee, political consultation at the deputy foreign minister level, etc.

In recent times, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Mozambique has developed very well.

In mid-April 2023, the Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique successfully organized an online meeting between Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Mozambican Foreign Minister Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo. The two sides discussed and proposed measures to promote multifaceted cooperation, creating momentum to promote bilateral relations in the coming time.

In May this year, the Vietnamese Embassy coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to successfully organize the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Mozambique Intergovernmental Committee in the capital city of Maputo (after 9 years since the 3rd meeting in 2014).

This meeting is an important occasion for both sides to review and propose new directions, contributing to improving the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in all areas of economy, education, health, national security and defense, etc.

Economic , trade and investment cooperation is a highlight in the relationship between the two countries. Trade turnover in 2022 reached over 177 million USD, an increase of 16% compared to 150 million USD in 2021; Vietnam exports rice, textile products, machinery and equipment... and imports cashew nuts, wood, coal...

Currently, Viettel Military Telecommunications Group is investing in Mozambique in the telecommunications sector - Movitel Company (a joint venture between Viettel and Mozambique's SPI Company), with a total investment capital of over 600 million USD, of which Viettel contributes 70%.

Customers learn about services at a branch of Movitel Company in Matola province (Mozambique). (Photo: Nguyen Hoang Minh/VNA)

Viettel's Movitel mobile network in Mozambique is a very effective project in bilateral economic cooperation, helping Mozambique create an information revolution.

Movitel mobile network, which has been in operation since May 2012, has become the second largest telecommunications network in terms of subscribers and coverage, making a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of Mozambique.

– According to the Ambassador, what is the significance of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Mozambique?

Ambassador Pham Hoang Kim: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's visit takes place in the context of Mozambique prioritizing national development towards industrial modernization, attracting foreign investment capital and improving social life to create momentum for the general election in 2024, in parallel with assuming the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2023-2024 term, affirming its role as a responsible member of regional and international issues.

This is a decisive moment for Vietnam and Mozambique, on the basis of good political relations, to continue to explore and expand relations from traditional cooperation areas between the two countries such as agriculture, education, health, etc. to new cooperation areas in which Vietnam has strengths and Mozambique also pays much attention, such as digital transformation, minerals, civil industry, agricultural processing, construction, energy, public infrastructure, etc.

During the visit, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will hold talks with Mozambican Prime Minister Adriano Afonso Maleiane; pay courtesy calls to President Filipe Nyusi and National Assembly President Esperanca Bias; meet with the Chairman of the Maputo City Council, visit the Movitel Company Headquarters and work with the Company's Board of Directors; meet with the Chairman of the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA) and a number of Mozambican businesses.

According to Ambassador Pham Hoang Kim, the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique in the coming time is huge. (Photo: Nguyen Thanh/VNA)

The above activities are very meaningful, providing an opportunity for the two sides to discuss the socio-economic development situation of each country; review the implementation of cooperation activities as well as propose measures to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries in a practical and effective manner.

This visit by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan continues to affirm that the good traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mozambique has always been preserved and developed by the leaders and people of the two countries.

With the important role and increasing position of Mozambique in Southern Africa and of Vietnam in Southeast Asia, the potential for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time is huge, especially in the fields of economy and trade.

Mozambique has strengths in natural resources, fisheries, competitive labor costs, etc., while Vietnam has strengths in agriculture, handicrafts, fisheries, and a hardworking workforce.

The two economies complement each other, the leaders of the two countries pay attention, increasing the exchange of high-level delegations, and promoting local and business cooperation, which are favorable factors for the Vietnam-Mozambique relationship to increasingly develop and expand.

The two countries' maintenance of delegation exchanges at all levels also creates favorable conditions to enhance mutual understanding, jointly resolve difficulties and obstacles, and develop relations in a substantive and profound manner.

Vietnam and Mozambique are both active members of many international organizations, have prestige in the international arena, and always support each other at multilateral forums.

– Thank you very much, Ambassador! ./.

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