Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Nathaniel F. McGill, Chief of Staff in the office of the Liberian President

At the function, both sides expressed their delight at fast growth of cooperation between the two countries since their diplomatic relations were established in June 2016. Bilateral trade doubled within a year after the establishment and exceeded 70 million USD in 2018.

Praising Vietnam’s impressive growth, McGill said he hopes Vietnamese firms will increase their study of investment opportunities in Liberia, as the country is turning itself into a dynamic development hub with tax incentives in Africa.

He suggested the Vietnamese Government and enterprises assist and share experience with Liberia in rice cultivation and production.

For his part, Minh asked Liberia to back Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) in the 2020-2021 tenure.

He stated Vietnam is willing to boost the bilateral ties to new heights toward effectiveness and practical outcomes, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

Sharing Vietnam’s successful agricultural experience, Minh suggested both sides study different cooperation measures in agriculture and rice production, especially multilateral collaboration models that Vietnam has successfully carried out with an African country.

The sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, particularly high-level ones, and hoped the Liberian President to soon visit Vietnam.

While in Beijing, the Deputy PM also met with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti (Photo: VNA)

Congratulating Djibouti on its normalization of ties with Eritrea for peace and national development, Minh affirmed Vietnam wants to boost cooperation with the country.

Djibouti will be a bridge for Vietnam to step up trade and investment with African countries, he said.

For his part, Youssouf stated he supports Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC in the 2020-2021 tenure.

The official hoped Vietnam and Djibouti always coordinate well at multilateral forums and international organisations, including the UN and the International Organisation of Francophonie.

Both sides agreed to enhance the two nations’ multifaceted cooperation, particularly in economy, and to encourage their enterprises to study each other’s market and investment opportunities.

They said they will push for the countries’ early signing of an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports, organise Vietnam-Djibouti political consultations, and boost visits between Vietnamese and Djiboutian officials.-VNA