Deputy Foreign Minister Tran Quoc Cuong (L) and Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Unity Dow at the celebration (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Tran Quoc Cuong said Vietnam and Africa have shared cooperative relations on a foundation of solidarity and mutual support during their national independence struggles in the past as well as present national development.

Vietnam has always worked to develop all-round partnership with African countries, including Botswana, the official stated.

He said Vietnam is delighted at achievements the Government and people of Botswana have gained over the years, with high growth making Botswana one of the countries with the most developed economies in Africa.

Cuong said Vietnam highly values Botswana’s connecting role in the Southern African Development Community.

He noted that over the past decade, although the two sides have enjoyed remarkable attainments in many cooperation areas, results have yet to match their great potential.

The Deputy FM expressed his belief that after the visit by Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Unity Dow, more effective cooperation programmes will be implemented.

With its experience in national construction and development as well as in cooperation with African countries in various fields, Vietnam is willing to work with the government and people of Botswana towards the country’s target of becoming a developed country.

Cuong said he hopes that in the future, Vietnam and Botswana will bolster their cooperation, meeting the aspirations and interests of both peoples.

For her part, the Botswana minister said her first visit to Vietnam is being made as the two sides are celebrating the 10th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and expressed her impression on Vietnam’s growth.

Noting that the Vietnam-Botswana partnership is expanding in various areas, the official said Botswana wishes to learn from Vietnam’s experience in socio-economic development.

She also expected that the relationship between Vietnam and African countries, including Botswana, will continue to grow, contributing to global peace and prosperity.

Large room for Vietnam-Botswana cooperation: PM   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Unity Dow on August 26.     Vietnam and Botswana have enormous potential to enhance collaboration in the fields of their strengths like agriculture, seafood and healthcare, among others, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on August 26. Hosting a reception for Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Unity Dow in Hanoi, PM Phuc said as two-way trade is still modest, both sides should work to complete the legal framework on economy and investment to boost cooperation in the sectors. He asked Botswana to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese products such as food, consumer goods and electronic spareparts to penetrate into the African market. The leader took the occasion to thank Botswana for supporting Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member at the UN Security Council, and hoped the country, with its prestige in the African region, will endorse Vietnam to set up relations with the African Union (AU), as well as enhance ties with the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Vietnam stands ready to serve as a bridge to connect Botswana and other ASEAN member states, he stressed. Unity Dow, for her part, said she believed that her visit to Vietnam will help promote the bilateral relations, saying the signing of the agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders between the two foreign ministries will open new cooperation opportunities, and facilitate exchanges in all sectors. Botswana want to foster all-round collaboration with Vietnam, she affirmed, adding her country will help Vietnam promote relations with AU and SADC members, and step up cooperation in the Non-Aligned Movement.

 VNA