Your Excellency, Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Your Excellency, Dr Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Your Excellency, Mrs Nguyen Thi Binh, Former Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Your excellencies, heads of delegations of African countries
Your Excellency, Mr Cheick Sidi Diarra, United Nations Under Secretary General and
Distinguished guests
It gives me great pleasure to represent the Republic of South Africa at this second Vietnam-Africa Forum and I am humbled by the opportunity to address you today. The contribution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam towards the Republic of South Africa's struggle to democracy is remembered with great feelings of respect and gratitude. Accordingly, I bring with me the appreciation of the peoples of South Africa for your efforts in contributing to ensuring the days of oppression would come to pass.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The government of South Africa upholds the cooperation between countries of the south as paramount to its foreign policy objectives. We therefore regard this second Africa-Vietnam Forum highly important towards strengthening and sustaining our relationship.
Since formalising our diplomatic relations, South Africa and Vietnam have been able to expand cultural, trade and economic engagements significantly. These developments have enabled both our countries to launch beneficial programmes, such as the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the commercial capitals of our two countries, Johannesburg and Ho Chi Minh City, and also the opening of the Honorary Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City in 2009. This serves as an indication of the importance South Africa attaches to Vietnam as an economic and trade partner in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
Nevertheless, we need to deepen our engagements in addressing the trade imbalance that currently exist to ensure the continuation of a mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries. Among other things, the Trade Commission and the South Africa-Vietnam Bilateral Forum serve as additional strategic platforms to improve our economic relations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
South Africa has a stable and highly developed financial and infrastructural sectors, which helped us weather the storm brought about by the recent global economic crisis. We are determined to put to Vietnam's disposal our infrastructure, our human capital and skills pool to enhance our common engagement with the African continent.
We are also keen to strengthen trade relations between the ASEAN, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other regional economic communities in Africa. I believe this is possible, due to a number of initiatives in Africa, such as the development of regional free trade areas in order to enhance our relations with the rest of the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Many of our sister African countries celebrate 50 years of independence this year, and this is a testament to the will and determination of the peoples of our continent to overcome adversity.
This year also saw South Africa host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, for the first time on African soil, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 2010 FIFA World Cup has contributed to denouncing Afro-pessimism, energising my country and the continent to ensure we deliver one of the most successful and memorable sporting events. The African footprint will now forever be embedded wherever the 2010 FIFA World Cup is held.
The vibrancy of the African continent and her people is echoing throughout the continent, as we move towards a new dawn, one encompassing a passion for success, fortitude in our endeavours and most of all, Africa's spirit of resilience.
We welcome your continued support in deepening and strengthening our relationships. In this regard, we would also like to congratulate you on assuming the chairing of the Association of South-East Asian Nations and wish you every success.
We look forward to your support in our efforts to be part of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the year 2011 to 2012. Similarly, we are keen to exchange views and learn from your experiences during your term in the UNSC.
In conclusion, Vietnam's determination to rise to the challenges of underdevelopment and the destructiveness of war is a milestone achievement that speaks directly to the never say die principle. It is consistent with the philosophy of Vietnam's greatest son, Ho Chi Minh, who once declared: "where there is a will there is a way". Through this partnership, both Vietnam and Africa are indeed showing the way. The time to act is now!
Thank you.
Remarks by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Ebrahim I Ebrahim, on the occasion of the second Africa-Vietnam Forum, Hanoi
Presentation to second panel: Trade, energy and investment cooperation, on the subjec
