Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted receptions for ambassadors from Egypt and Mongolia to Hanoi on June 15.

During his meeting with Egyptian Ambassador Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama, the Prime Minister commended Egypt for its achievements in maintaining political stability, socio-economic development and containment of COVID-19.

Vietnam highly values ​​Egypt’s role and position in Africa and the world, especially in regional and international forums like the United Nations (UN), African Union (EU) and Non-Aligned Movement. (NAM), he said.

Chinh noted with pleasure the positive development of Vietnam-Egypt relations, especially in the fields of political diplomacy, trade and education, adding that the two countries actively support each other in multilateral forums.

Despite the pandemic, the relationship has grown further, as evidenced by bilateral trade revenue which increased from $491 million in 2019 to $515 million in 2020, he continued.

Chinh suggested that the two countries coordinate in holding activities marking the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

Underscoring the potential for cooperation between the two countries, the leader said they should work harder to advance the relationship more intensively, pragmatically and efficiently.

He spoke of specific measures such as strengthening delegation exchanges, meetings at international conferences and telephone interviews; improve the role and effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms, in particular the intergovernmental committee; and working to increase annual business revenue to $1 billion.

In addition to exchanging market information and export and import regulations, the two sides should create optimal conditions for their businesses to seek cooperation opportunities in areas such as energy, oil and gas, chemicals, apparel-textiles, food processing and agriculture.

Chinh expressed his hope that Egypt will maintain Arabic language scholarships for Vietnamese students, consider scholarships on halal standards for Vietnamese officials, help promote Vietnamese traditional martial arts in Africa and promote tourism exchanges. between the two countries.

He also suggested that the two parties coordinate in the implementation of the agreements reached, negotiate new ones and resign from those who are no longer suitable for the new situation.

The Prime Minister said that Vietnam and Egypt should support each other more in multilateral forums, and called on Egypt to support the position of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue, settling all disputes and disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law. , including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and to ensure peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters.

For her part, Salama shared her impressions of Vietnam’s achievements in the fight against the pandemic and socio-economic recovery and development, which she said demonstrates the Vietnamese government’s sound policies and leadership.

The ambassador said she hopes that with its role in the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam will make more contributions to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and in the world.

Egypt will host the 27th United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27), and the country is keen to host the prime minister at the event, she said.

During a reception for Mongolian Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav, Chinh stressed the traditional relationship and mutual support between the two countries during nation building and development.

Although the pandemic has affected the regional and global situation, relations have been maintained, especially in the fields of politics, national defense and security, he said, stressing that Vietnam always wishes to promote the relationships between the spheres.

He praised the ambassador’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, including the launch of direct flights between the two countries.

The leader suggested that the two sides maintain delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels in flexible forms, thus helping to increase mutual understanding and trust.

Vietnam is always ready to welcome Mongolian leaders to the country in the coming times, he said.

The two countries should strengthen their cooperation on national defense and security, especially after signing the defense cooperation agreement and another on information protection and exchange, and coordinate to effectively deploy the bilateral cooperation mechanisms and agreements, first and foremost the organization of the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Mongolia Intergovernmental Committee in Mongolia in August.

As Vietnam and Mongolia still have substantial potential for trade and investment cooperation, more mechanisms are needed to strengthen partnerships, the leader said.

The two countries should increase exchanges of goods, hold trade and investment promotion workshops to increase bilateral trade and launch more air routes, he said.

Chinh called on Mongolia to continue cooperation with Vietnam to resolve regional and international issues of common concern, and to further support ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance of settling all disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures. accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982, and to ensure peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters.

In response, the Ambassador described Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements as valuable lessons for Mongoliaespecially Vietnam’s view of being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community, for peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the world.

Sereejav said he hopes that during his tenure he will help elevate Vietnam-Mongolia relations to a strategic partnership.

The Ambassador conveyed the Mongolian Prime Minister’s invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Mongolia. PM Chinh gladly accepted the invitation./.