Media Statement

15 August 2012

Deputy Minister Ebrahim to co-chair SA-Vietnam Partnership Forum meeting

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, and his counterpart from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr Le Luong Minh, will co-chair the 2nd Meeting of the South Africa-Vietnam Partnership Forum in Pretoria on 17 August 2012.

The objectives of the meeting include a review of the entire scope of bilateral relations between South Africa and Vietnam, as well as identifying priority areas of bilateral co-operation in order to maximise existing opportunities.

During the meeting, bilateral discussions between the two delegations will focus, among others, on political and security matters of mutual interest and issues related to biodiversity protection and promotion.

Apart from the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, a number of other Government Departments will participate in the deliberations with their counterparts from Vietnam, notably Defence and Military Veterans; Environmental Affairs; Justice and Constitutional Development and Water Affairs.

The relationship between South Africa and Vietnam is longstanding. Over the years, there has been a steady exchange of visits, including high-level visits between the two countries. In October 2010, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe paid an Official Visit to Vietnam and his Vietnamese counterpart, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan paid a return visit to South Africa in May 2011.
South Africa and Vietnam are both developing countries and can learn from each other’s experiences and successes.  Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has managed the remarkable achievement of halving poverty over the past 20 years.  One area that needs to be explored is expansion in trade, including market access for products of export interest to the agricultural sector.

It is expected that the Meeting of the Partnership Forum will re-affirm the warm friendship and close relations that exist between South Africa and Vietnam.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, +27 82 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria