Luanda - Angola and Vietnam signed two legal instruments Thursday in Luanda with a view to expand cooperation in different areas, especially higher education.
Signed during the 7th Session of the Angola-Vietnam Bilateral Commission, the signing was witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Maria Bragança, and the Vietnamese Minister of Education, Ngunyen Kim Son.
The parties recognized the importance of holding a Bilateral Commission as an appropriate mechanism to increase diplomatic relations and cooperation in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and higher education, among others.
The Angolan minister reiterated the need to strengthen economic cooperation and trade, having considered the official visit as an incentive to improve reciprocal investment.
Maria Bragança underscored that the existence of various agreements or legal instruments represents a very positive sign and a demonstration of the will to revitalize and boost bilateral cooperation and that the parties must continue to work to achieve their goals.
According to the minister, Angola seeks to strengthen relations with Vietnam as much as possible to better use its vast experience and know-how on issues related to economic diversification and help it reduce dependence on imports of raw materials.
The minister pointed out that the Angolan market is very advantageous and offers conditions for the success of any medium and long-term investments in the agricultural, industrial, tourism, mining and technological sectors, among others.
Ngunyen Kim Son on his turn said the recent session of the Vietnam-Angola Intergovernmental Committee served to strengthen and to expand the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting, the Vietnamese official said, is a concrete testimony of the efforts of the two sides in promoting multifaceted cooperation, although he admitted that the results of bilateral cooperation are still modest and not commensurate with the good friendship and potential of the two countries.
He congratulated the Angolans on the political, economic, cultural and social achievements they have made in recent times, especially after the definitive peace achieved on April 4, 2002.
The Republics of Angola and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam cooperate in various areas, particularly in the sectors of Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Tourism, Commerce, Urban Planning and Housing, Health, Education and Sports.
In 1978 the two countries signed the General Cooperation Agreement in Luanda, which governs relations between the two countries. FMA/VIC/AMP