Vietnam looks to forge ties with Algeria in various fields: PM

ABO/VNA – Vietnam hopes to strengthen its cooperation with Algeria across many key sectors, particularly economy and trade, to match the success of their bilateral political ties, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel (Source: VNA)

During their meeting in Hanoi on July 13, the Prime Minister said Vietnam wants to further enhance its fruitful relationship with Algeria, urging the two sides to fulfill their joint commitments and intensify their exchange of high-level delegations.

Vietnam and Algeria should continue to step up the implementation of those contents reached at the 11th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee in November 2017, PM Phuc suggested.

Vietnam welcomes the consensus reached by agencies of both sides on the formation of the Business Council, as well as their resolve to continue with the negotiations on investment promotion and double taxation avoidance agreements, he noted.

The PM called for joint efforts in order to raise the bilateral trade revenue to 1 billion USD in 2020, saying businesses and business associations play an important role in this regard.

Vietnam attaches importance to enterprises and their role as drivers of bilateral economic and trade links, he added.

Lauding the successes of the Bir Seba oil and gas joint venture between the two countries, PM Phuc expressed his hope that Algeria will create more favourable conditions for the company to operate successfully, especially in terms of administrative procedures.

Vietnam backs Algeria’s joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and stands ready to dispatch officials and experts to help the country in this field, he said.

For his part, A. Messahel said his visit aims to boost cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria in various spheres.

The FM informed his host about outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Talking about the Business Council, he suggested putting the organisation into operation effectively and pragmatically.

Vietnam and Algeria need to strengthen their partnerships in major sectors like oil and gas, telecommunications, pharmaceutical production, and fisheries and agriculture, the official said, urging Vietnam to share its development experience with Algeria.

The guest used the occasion to affirm Algeria’s support for Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021.

The Algerian FM is currently paying a visit to Vietnam from July 13-14 at the invitation of Deputy PM and FM Minh.

(Source: VNA)