Promoting Vietnam - Egypt cooperation more and more effectively

The visit is considered an important milestone in the Vietnam-Egypt cooperation relationship, helping to strongly promote the good traditional relations between the two countries in all fields.

The Arab Republic of Egypt is located in North Africa, with a population of over 94 million. Egypt ranks second in economic size and population and is one of the leading countries in Africa in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Egypt's main economic sectors are tourism, oil, textiles, agricultural processing, chemicals, construction, etc. Egypt is considered a major country in the region, with prestige and an important geostrategic position connecting the Asian-African continents. Egypt is one of the major contributors to the African Union (AU) operating budget, and is the headquarters of the Arab League. Since taking office in May 2014, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has continued to promote the “Look East” policy, focusing on expanding relations with Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Vietnam, etc. In September 2016, Egypt officially joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN (TAC).

Egypt is one of the first Arab countries to have relations with Vietnam. Since 1958, Vietnam has had a trade representative office in Egypt. On September 1, 1963, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. The good relationship between Vietnam and Egypt is marked by delegation exchanges; meetings and exchanges at international events and forums in which both countries participate. Notably, President Nguyen Minh Triet visited Egypt to attend the Non-Aligned Summit (July 2009); the meeting between President Truong Tan Sang and the Egyptian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the Asia-Africa Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Indonesia (April 2015) and with the Egyptian President at the 70th Anniversary of the Victory over Fascism in Moscow (Russia) in May 2015. Egypt sent many delegations to visit Vietnam and most recently, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi paid a state visit to Vietnam in September 2017.

Vietnam and Egypt have signed many cooperation agreements in the fields of economics, trade, investment, culture, tourism, etc. As Vietnam's fifth largest trading partner in Africa, the bilateral trade turnover between Egypt and Vietnam in 2017 reached 350 million USD. Vietnam's main exports to Egypt are seafood, auto parts, textiles, black pepper, coffee, rubber and consumer goods; the main imports are chemicals, petroleum products, milk and dairy products, various fibers and consumer goods, etc. Egypt currently has 3 projects registered for investment in Vietnam with a total capital of more than 2 million USD. Egypt is the first North African country to recognize Vietnam as a full market economy (November 2013). In particular, during the visit of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, Egypt pledged to provide technical support and training for 10-20 officials on Halal standards for goods exported to the Muslim market. Every year, the Egyptian Government grants Vietnam 12 scholarships to train students in Arabic. The two countries also regularly exchange information and cooperate through party and local channels and in the fields of inspection, culture, etc.

Egypt highly appreciates Vietnam's stance on Arab countries' issues. The two countries regularly coordinate and support each other in international forums: Egypt supports Vietnam's candidacy for the Security Council (2020 - 2021), the Human Rights Council (2014 - 2016)... and Vietnam supports Egypt's candidacy for the Security Council (2016 - 2017), the Human Rights Council (2017 - 2019)...

The State visit to Egypt by President Tran Dai Quang is of historic significance in the bilateral relationship, affirming Vietnam's respect and desire to strengthen cooperation with Egypt. The visit is also an opportunity for the two sides to discuss measures to further promote cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment; and to seek cooperation opportunities in areas where the two countries have strengths such as agriculture, culture and tourism. The results of the visit will contribute to bringing the relationship between the two countries to a new page, with more effective and extensive multi-faceted cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world./.

Viet Cuong