New chapter in cooperation for peace and development

President delivers policy speech at the Arab League. (Photo: XUAN KY)

Vietnam hopes to write a new chapter in multifaceted cooperation with brotherly Arab countries.

Historically based relationship

When the plane carrying President Luong Cuong and his wife and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation was about to land at the international airport in Cairo, in the vast space, Egypt appeared with the Nile River like a silk strip stretching across, winding around, in the middle of a gray picture of the sun and desert wind. Perhaps that is why every time Egypt is mentioned, it is mentioned as a country of wonders and resilient people, with the longest river in the world crossing, bringing vitality to the arid region, becoming the cradle of one of the greatest ancient civilizations of mankind and having strong development to this day.

And with that distant land, the deep affection between the Vietnamese people and the Egyptian people as well as the Arab countries has a historical foundation, personally cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and the predecessor leaders of many Arab countries. In the hearts of the Egyptian people and many Arab countries, there is still a vivid memory of Ho Chi Minh, a great friend, a tireless fighter for the aspiration of peace , independence and freedom.

Throughout President Luong Cuong's visit, in high-level talks, meetings and contacts, Egyptian and Arab League leaders clearly expressed their admiration and respect for beloved President Ho Chi Minh as well as the history of the struggle for national liberation and the path of national development of Vietnam. Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, when welcoming President Luong Cuong to visit and deliver a policy speech at the Arab League Headquarters, was moved to express: Since the 1950s, the Egyptian people and Arab countries, including myself, have always followed the great struggle for national independence of the Vietnamese people, considering it a model for Egypt and Arab countries to follow. With President Ho Chi Minh, no words can fully express our admiration for him.

During the talks, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi also expressed his deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, praising the glorious history and outstanding development achievements that Vietnam has achieved under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi said: "Egypt always cherishes and wishes to further promote the traditional friendship and close ties between brothers with Vietnam."

The close relationship between the two countries and two peoples is also the exchange, sharing, and admiration for the cultural depth, land, and people of two lands that seem far away but have traditional, intimate, friendly, and strong ties.

And in his policy speech at the Arab League Headquarters, the President shared: The thousand-year-old treasure of epics, philosophy and poetry of the Arab world has captivated generations of Vietnamese people. The unique cultural identity and timeless spiritual values of Egypt and Arab countries have always been an endless source of inspiration for wisdom, courage, love of freedom and justice, enriching human civilization. Vietnam always respects, preserves and is very proud to have diplomatic relations with all 22 member countries of the Arab League, with many areas of cooperation increasingly substantive and effective. In particular, the Vietnam-Egypt relationship is a beautiful model of friendship and brotherhood.

Elevate the relationship

The historical affection, appreciation and desire to promote the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Egypt and more broadly, the good relationship between Vietnam and Arab countries have always been nurtured, towards a better future. Egypt was the first North African country to recognize Vietnam as a full market economy since November 2013 and is also Vietnam's largest trade partner in North Africa. In 2024, Vietnam-Egypt trade turnover reached 541.36 million USD; Egypt has 22 projects registered to invest in Vietnam with a total capital of 2.87 million USD.

President Luong Cuong's visit to Egypt this time continues to affirm the loyal and steadfast relationship formed and nurtured during the period of national liberation struggle. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for Vietnam and Egypt to exchange directions and measures to bring the relationship to a new height in a more practical, effective and sustainable direction, meeting the needs of development and international integration in the new situation of each country.

In all high-level meetings between the two sides, the two sides have promoted deepening and elevating the relationship, creating a new framework for Vietnam and Egypt to further consolidate political trust, implementing more agreements and cooperation agreements in areas of mutual interest such as green transformation, digital transformation, energy, agriculture, education, health, labor, climate change response, tourism and people-to-people exchange; creating more favorable conditions, supporting businesses, investors and mutually beneficial cooperation activities. And the clearest evidence of those development aspirations is when President Luong Cuong and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi both affirmed their determination to increase bilateral trade turnover to 1 billion USD in the coming time.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi expressed that with its position connecting three continents and through its extensive network of free trade agreements, Egypt is ready to act as a bridge for Vietnamese businesses and goods to access the Middle East and African markets. Meanwhile, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, when meeting with the President, also proposed the establishment of the Vietnam-Arab Business Council and affirmed that it will be a bridge connecting Vietnam with the markets of the Middle East - Africa region and Arab countries; affirmed to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to do business in Egypt... President Luong Cuong emphasized that Vietnam is ready to play the role of a bridge, further promoting cooperation between ASEAN and the Arab League, especially in protecting peace, promoting the building of a fair, equal world order, based on international law, where the voices and legitimate aspirations of developing countries like us are heard and respected.

Inheriting, preserving and promoting the relationship that President Ho Chi Minh, President Gamal Abdel Nasser and generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate since the early days of the struggle for national liberation to develop to new heights in the context of the current volatile world is a precious thing. On that basis, to be consistent with the level of bilateral relations, to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries as well as to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in each region and in the world, during President Luong Cuong's State visit to Egypt this time, the two sides agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.

The results of the visit demonstrated the strong traditional friendship and solidarity that together promote the development and advancement of the two countries and peoples of Vietnam and Egypt. In his speech, President Luong Cuong quoted the teachings of beloved Uncle Ho "Unity, unity, great unity/Success, success, great success" and affirmed: Today, that truth still holds true, strength lies in the spirit of solidarity. We wish to write with you a new chapter in the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the brotherly Arab countries for peace, cooperation and development.

Nhandan.vn

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuong-moi-trong-quan-he-hop-tac-vi-hoa-binh-va-phat-trien-post899056.html