Remarks by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on the Visit by the Vice-President of Vietnam, Her Excellency Nguyen Thi Doan 04 May 2011, Pretoria

We have just concluded discussions with Her Excellency Nguyen Thi Doan, the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, who is in South Africa on an official visit. This visit is a further manifestation of the depth of relations between South Africa and Vietnam.

Last year I had the honour to pay an official visit to Vietnam and we discussed various issues of mutual interest with Her Excellency Vice-President Nguyen Thi Doan.

We committed both our governments to strengthen co-operation on trade and investment, science and technology, defence and environmental management. We further committed to actively encourage both South Africa and Vietnamese companies to take full advantage of excellent historical political relations between our countries to increase economic activity.

Both South Africa and Vietnam offer excellent opportunities to investors and we should encourage our business communities to link up and explore all possible avenues for cooperation and trade.

During our discussion today we reiterated our commitment to grow trade volumes between South Africa and Vietnam and in this regard, our governments will work together to identify specific areas in which South African and Vietnamese companies can do business. Details of this will be worked out by the South African-Vietnam Partnership Forum which is scheduled to meet here later this year.

We have also agreed to continue sharing perspectives and comparing notes on multilateral matters such as fair global trade system, the reform of global financial institutions, development, peace and stability as well as on climate change.

South Africa attaches great importance to its excellent relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This is a relationship that has grown, deepened and matured.

Issued by The Presidency
4 April 2011