Vietnam pays special attention to relations with Middle East and African countries, which have made great strides in a wide range of fields over the past years, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam set up diplomatic ties with South Sudan in February 2019, bringing the total number of regional countries that have diplomatic ties with Vietnam to 69 out of 70.

Last year’s two-way trade hit close to US$19 billion, tripling that of a year earlier. Vietnam exported farm produce, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, telecommunications, and finance-banking services to the region.

The country received more than US$7 billion in foreign direct investment from the region while pouring more than US$2.6 billion there, primarily via Viettel’s telecom projects in several African nations.

Progress has been also seen in cooperation on agriculture, energy, transportation, labour and exchange of experts.

With active and responsible contributions to dealing with global issues, Vietnam acquired almost absolute support from the Middle East– African countries during its run for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

During a recent meeting with ambassadors from the Middle East and African countries, the Vietnamese diplomat said the potential of collaboration between Vietnam and the region remains huge and diverse.

In its capacity as the Chair of ASEAN 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, Vietnam could serve as a bridge to boost coordination within ASEAN framework, tackle issues related to regional and global peace and security, including those in the Middle East and Africa, he said.

On the back of opportunities from the fourth industrial revolution, similarities in development level and supplementary economies, both sides boast great potential for bolstering comprehensive cooperation, especially in fields of trade, investment, energy, environment, information technology and communications, agriculture, labour and tourism, he added.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Minh Khoi said the past economic achievements will lay an important foundation for the two sides to ensure food security, reduce poverty, improve value chain, thus bringing direct benefits to their businesses as well as people.