President Truong Tan Sang has reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of
attaching special importance to relations with traditional friends,
including Congo.
The President received Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Basile Ikouebe in Hanoi on October 30.
He thanked the Congolese people for their support for Vietnam
during its past struggle for national independence as well as current
development.
Sharing the same view with Minister
Basile Ikouebe on the need of fostering bilateral ties, President Sang
suggested the two sides enhance cooperation in every aspect in
preparation for the visit to Vietnam by Congolese President Denis
Sassou N’guesso and the Vietnam-Congo Intergovernmental Committee’s 2 nd
meeting in 2014.
Vietnam is ready to cooperate
with Congo in the fields of information technology, health,
education, oil and gas, he said, adding that the two nations need to
work out specific projects to realise their commitments.
For his part, Basile Ikouebe extended his deep condolences to the
Vietnamese Party, State and people over the death of General Vo Nguyen
Giap, who is admired by the Congolese people.
As the
two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic
ties in 2014, the minister said that his country wants to further
strengthen cooperation with Vietnam .
Vietnam
and Congo boast their own strengths and this is a favourable
condition for them to boost cooperation, he noted, affirming that his
visit is a step towards the celebration of bilateral diplomatic
relations.
Congo is actively working with
Vietnamese ministries and agencies to prepare for the Vietnam-Congo
Intergovernmental Committee meeting, he added.
During its economic restructuring, Congo pays attention to Vietnam
’s strengths such as mining, agriculture and aquaculture, and is willing
to facilitate Vietnamese businesses’ investment in the country, he
said.-VNA