Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister of the Ivory Coast Marcel Amon-Tanoh held talks in Hanoi on June 18, during which the former said Vietnam always pays heed to fostering friendship and cooperation with the Ivory Coast, its second biggest trade partner in Africa..

Amon-Tanoh showed his elation at his first official visit to Vietnam and congratulated the Southeast Asian nation on its recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure with a record number of votes.

The two diplomats agreed upon a score of specific measures to deepen bilateral relations and take full advantage of the two nations’ strengths. Accordingly, both nations will intensify the exchange of State and parliament delegations, and people-to-people exchanges.

Bilateral trade saw rapid growth in the past five years, reaching roughly US$1 billion in 2018, they said.
Amon-Tanoh asked for Vietnam’s assistance toward his country in the fields of agriculture, telecommunications, and education-training while welcoming Vietnamese businesses’ investment in his nation.

Deputy PM and FM Minh thanked the Ivory Coast Government for supporting Vietnamese expatriates in settling down in the host country, thus giving a boost to bilateral economic exchanges.

Both sides consented to soon begin their negotiation for and signing of documents to create a legal framework for the operation of their enterprises such as agreements on framework cooperation, trade, investment encouragement and protection, and double tax avoidance.

Host and guest also briefed each other on current affairs of their respective nations and compared notes on international and regional issues of shared concern.

They affirmed their support for multilateral cooperation and settlement of disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law. They also pledged to strengthen exchanges and coordination at multilateral forums like the UN and International Organisation of La Francophonie.

During his stay in Vietnam, Minister Marcel Amon-Tanoh is due to visit a number of groups and economic and cultural establishments.

Source: vov.vn