Vietnam, Mozambique Issue Statement on Vietnamese Party Chief’s Visit

Text of report in English by Vietnamese news agency VNA website

[Unattributed article from the "Politics-Diplomacy" page: "Vietnam-Mozambique Joint Statement"]

Maputo (VNA) -Vietnam and Mozambique on April 6 issued a joint statement at the end of Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s state visit at the invitation of Mozambican President and President of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) Armando Emilio Guebuza.

The joint statement says:

“During the visit, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh held talks with President Armando Emilio Guebuza, met with National Assembly Chairman Eduardo Joaquim Mulembwe, visited the FRELIMO Party Central School and exchanged views with FRELIMO leaders. General Secretary Manh laid a wreath at the Monument to Mozambican Heroes and visited a number of economic, social and cultural establishments in the capital city of Maputo .

“President Guebuza praised the great historical achievements the Vietnamese people made in their renovation course and national construction and defence, for the target of a rich people, a strong country and an equal, democratic and civilised society. He highly valued Vietnam’s role in Southeast Asia and the world, and affirmed that Mozambique is ready to help Vietnam promote cooperation with countries in central Africa .

“General Secretary Manh saluted the successes provided by the Mozambican people in their national construction and maintenance of socio-political stability and high economic growth rate. He spoke highly of Mozambique and President Guebuza’s role and contributions to the South African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and other international organizations.

General Secretary Manh and President Guebuza expressed their desire to promote the friendship and cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and FRELIMO as well as between Vietnam and Mozambique, especially in areas related to socio-economic development.

“President Guebuza took note of and will consider Vietnam’s proposal for the recognition of its market economic status. General Secretary Manh thanked Mozambique for its support of Vietnam’s economic international integration and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge to help Mozambique expand cooperation with other Southeast Asian countries.

“President Guebuza and General Secretary Manh expressed their delights at positive results achieved recently in enhancing the Vietnam-Mozambique relations. The two leaders agreed that the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries is a valuable asset that needs to be preserved and upheld in the construction and development cause of each country.

“They affirmed that Vietnam and Mozambique will spare no efforts to develop their traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership on the basis of equality, mutual support and assistance for mutual development in the interests of the two nations as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and the world at large.

“The two leaders agreed to boost high-ranking meetings through party and government channels; bolster cooperation between ministries, sectors, localities and mass organizations of the two countries; share experience in economic development, social equity and progress and poverty reduction in order to successfully implement the Millennium Development Goals initiated by the United Nations.

“The two leaders agreed to expand and enhance cooperation in economy, commerce and investment between Vietnam and Mozambique based on the potentials and strengths of each country, particularly in technical assistance, agro-forestry and fisheries, wood exploitation and processing, pharmaceuticals, health care, education and training, science and technology, environment, tourism, energy and other fields.

“The two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for businesses of Vietnam and Mozambique to expand stable and long-term cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit for sustainable development of each country.

“The two leaders stressed that the increased commercial exchanges and investment between the two countries would contribute to boosting economic cooperation between Southeast Asian and Africa in general.

“The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the increase of tripartite cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique and a third party.

“The two leaders expressed their determination to guide the two governments to speed up negotiations, and finalise a legal framework for stable and long-term cooperation between the two countries as soon as possible. Accordingly, they decided to set up a Vietnam- Mozambique Inter-governmental Cooperation Committee that will serve as a coordinator to further push up cooperation in fields that were agreed upon between the two countries.

“The two sides applauded the signing of an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders of the two countries, a protocol to set up an Inter-governmental Cooperation Committee, and a protocol on technical assistance in education and training between Vietnam and Mozambique during this visit.

“The two sides agreed to open soon an ambassadorial-level diplomatic representative office in each country’s capital.

“The two leaders shared the same views on many regional and international issues of common concerns; stressed the need to increase their coordination in actions and viewpoints at regional and international forums and boost multi-lateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP), the Non-Aligned Movement and the South-South Cooperation.

“The two sides expressed their belief that President Armando Emilio Guebuza’s Vietnam visit in January 2007 and General Secretary Manh’s Mozambique visit opened up a new page of development in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique .

“General Secretary Manh expressed his thanks to the Government and people of Mozambique for their warm and grand welcome given to the Vietnamese Party leader and his entourage.

“General Secretary Manh invited the Mozambican President to visit Vietnam and the President accepted the invitation with pleasure. Specific schedule for the visit will be arranged through the diplomatic channel.”

Originally published by VNA news agency website, Hanoi, in English 6 Apr 08.

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