Hanoi (VNA) – President AbdelFattah el-Sisi’s visit to Vietnam from September 6-7 demonstrates that Egyptattaches importance to Vietnam and considers the country one of the prioritiesin its Look East policy, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Do Hoang Long. 

He explained that this is the first-ever visit to Vietnam by an EgyptianPresident since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1963.

The visit also reflects Egypt’s expectations to upgrade the diplomatic ties andenhance cooperation in all areas, from politics to economy, trade, investmentand education, Long said, stressing that the visit is expected to open up a newchapter in the bilateral relationship.

He reviewed support of the Egyptian Government and people to Vietnam during thestruggle for national independence as well as the cause of nationalconstruction and development, and highlighted the two countries’ mutual supportat international forums.

Vietnam and Egypt boast a lot of potential to step up their collaboration, hesaid, pointing out similarities in population and development pace shared bythe two countries.

However, he said, outcomes of cooperation in economy, trade and investment haveyet to match their potential as two-way trade stood at only 350 million USD in2016.

Given this, the Egyptian President’s visit is hoped to create a good foundationand open up opportunities for the two sides to set up long-term collaborationin various fields like trade, investment and culture.

Ambassador Long said up to 20 documents are expected to be signed during thevisit. 

He suggested the two countries create a favourable legal corridor and paymentsystem in order to facilitate the operation of their businesses, while forging partnershipsbetween the two countries’ enterprises through their chambers of commerce andindustry and associations of businesspeople, especially those in major cities.

There should be a framework agreement on cultural cooperation between the twocountries, he said, adding that the Vietnamese and Egyptian ministries ofculture will sign a number of cooperation agreements.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt has called for favourable conditions forcultural exchanges between the two countries’ artists, and suggested enhancingfriendship between their big cities and establishing friendship associationsbetween them.

The embassy has also proposed organising a programme to promote the image oflate President Ho Chi Minh in Egypt, where he had dropped in for three times,laying the foundation for the bilateral ties, the ambassador said.

He called on the two countries to intensify theiraffiliation in other realms like politics, national defence and security andcounterterrorism.-VNA