Vietnam and Togo commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations with a focus on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, trade, and investment. Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and Minister Robert Dussey discussed strategies to leverage each nation’s strengths and signed a memorandum to deepen political consultations.
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn met with Prof. Robert Dussey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Togolese Abroad of Togo, in Hanoi. This visit marks an important occasion as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Togo, established on February 8, 1975. Minister Sơn reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fostering relations with African nations, particularly Togo, emphasizing the importance of political trust as a foundation for deeper cooperation across various sectors.
During the discussions, Sơn expressed a desire for enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, seaports, and mining. He suggested that both nations exchange lists of goods with competitive advantages to facilitate increased bilateral trade, particularly in rice, textiles, leather, electric vehicles, and agricultural machinery. Additionally, he encouraged Togo to provide information on investment opportunities, allowing Vietnamese companies to explore market development.
Recognizing Vietnam’s nearly 40 years of successful development reform, Sơn stated that Vietnam is prepared to assist Togo in sharing experiences related to international integration, industrialization, agricultural development, and educational exchanges. He proposed establishing training and student exchange programs between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and its Togolese counterpart, as well as a young diplomat program.
In terms of collaboration in multilateral settings, Sơn urged Togo to support Vietnam’s candidacy for critical roles in international organizations, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the United Nations Security Council. He further requested Togo’s backing in enhancing cooperation with the African Union and ECOWAS initiatives.
In response, Minister Dussey acknowledged the untapped potential for bilateral cooperation in economic and trade sectors, particularly in seaports, tourism, and aviation. He expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s aid in improving rice cultivation in Togo and expressed interest in expanding trilateral agricultural cooperation, with financial assistance from international partners. Both ministers agreed to prioritize agriculture as a key area for collective effort, focused on ensuring sustainable food security in Togo.
They also discussed advancing legal frameworks for cooperation through agreements related to investment promotion, tax avoidance, and visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. Following the talks, the two ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance political consultations and promote ongoing cooperative activities as they move into a new phase of bilateral relations.
Agricultural cooperation and mutual support in international forums emerged as central themes of the dialogue, laying the groundwork for future collaboration between Vietnam and Togo.
The diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Togo, which has evolved over the past five decades, reflects a mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation across various domains, especially in trade, agriculture, and investment. With Vietnam’s experience in economic reform and Togo’s developmental needs, the two nations are positioned to benefit significantly from collaborative projects that capitalize on each country’s strengths, particularly in agriculture and international integration. This recent meeting underscores the growing desire to foster robust bilateral ties as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its partnerships with African nations.
In summary, the discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and Minister Robert Dussey highlighted a strong commitment to advancing bilateral relations between Vietnam and Togo as they commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties. With an emphasis on agriculture, trade, and mutual support in international fora, both countries aim to enhance their cooperative framework through various agreements and shared initiatives. This collaboration is anticipated to yield significant benefits for both nations in terms of economic growth and sustainable development.
Original Source: vietnamnews.vn
