Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made the statement during talks with Mozambican Foreign Minister Oldemiro Julio Baloi in Hanoi on April 2, describing the latter’s visit as a new milestone in the traditional friendship relations between the two nations.

He reviewed the two countries’ cooperation since Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to Mozambique in April 2008.

The Mozambican minister expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam for the first time as well as his admiration for the achievements the Vietnamese people recorded during their national construction and renewal process. He said Vietnam is a bright example for developing countries, including African countries, to follow.

Oldemiro Julio Baloi also affirmed Mozambique’s wish to boost cooperation with Vietnam and thanked Vietnam for its assistance to his country, particularly in agriculture, health care, education and poverty reduction.

He said he hoped that Vietnam would continue its assistance for Mozambique in these areas and expand cooperation to tourism, construction, security and defence.

The two sides appreciated the outcomes of the first session of the Vietnam-Mozambique Inter-governmental Committee on Economics, Trade and Science and Technology in Hanoi from Mar. 30-Apr. 2.

Following the talks, Deputy PM Khiem and FM Oldemiro Julio Baloi witnessed the signing of the minutes of the meeting and the hand-over of the token of a gift from the Vietnamese military telecoms corporation to an agricultural research centre in Mozambique’s Zambezia province.

The two diplomats also met with the press to inform the results of their talks and prospect of the two countries’ cooperation.

The same day, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh received FM Oldemiro Julio Baloi.

The Party leader said the Mozambican FM’s visit is a manifestation of the fine friendship, unity and cooperation between the States and people of the two countries.

He stressed that Vietnam will further develop the friendly and cooperative ties with Mozambique, and do its utmost to implement agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders for the two people’s benefits and for peace, cooperation in development in Southeast Asia, southern Africa and the world at large.

Manh said Vietnam is ready to share experiences with Mozambique, especially in agriculture, poverty alleviation and education and training.

He praised Mozambique’s efforts in peacekeeping, maintaining political stability and economic reform and expressed his belief that Mozambique will gain greater achievements in national development.

Oldemiro Julio Baloi informed the Party leader of the situation in Mozambique, his meetings with Vietnamese leaders and results of the first session of the Vietnam-Mozambique Inter-governmental Committee.