Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke in HCM City on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photos

HCM CITY — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn on Wednesday held meetings in HCM City with Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke and Algeria’s Minister Mujahedeen and Rights Holders Laid Rebiga, who are in Việt Nam to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025).

Welcoming Minister Jaentschke and the Nicaraguan delegation, Deputy PM Sơn stressed that despite geographical distance, Việt Nam and Nicaragua share long-standing relations and solidarity, with strong bonds between the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) and the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), as well as between the two Governments and the two peoples.

He commended the recent achievements of the Nicaraguan Government and people under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo. He expressed his belief that Nicaragua will continue to make significant progress under the Nicaraguan Government ad FSLN's leadership.

For his part, Jaentschke said it was his honour to lead the Nicaraguan Government’s delegation to the celebration. He praised Việt Nam’s remarkable development over nearly 40 years of Đổi Mới (Renewal) under the CPV's clear-sighted leadership, saying the shared aspirations for independence, freedom, and social progress provide a solid foundation for closer bilateral ties.

He also thanked the Party, State and people of Việt Nam for their enormous solidarity with and support for the Sandino revolution and people of Nicaragua.

The minister underscored that Nicaragua particularly admires President Hồ Chí Minh and the CPV's leadership, during both the struggle for national independence and the current process of reform and development. He affirmed that Việt Nam's successes in the past and at present are a bright example and a source of inspiration for the Government, FSLN, and people of Nicaragua.

On bilateral relations, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in political, economic and trade ties, and shared the view that there remains great potential to expand cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology, culture, education, construction, and climate change response.

They pledged to coordinate actively in implementing measures to enhance cooperation effectiveness in the future, particularly by promoting delegation exchanges at all levels, maintaining regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries, and completing legal frameworks to facilitate collaboration in mutually beneficial areas. They also agreed that Việt Nam and Nicaragua will continue close coordination at multilateral forums and organisations while supporting each other in strengthening ties with the other's region.

The two sides concurred in boosting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in the sectors of shared interest and strengths such as agriculture, digital transformation, telecommunications and infrastructure. These efforts will deepen mutual understanding and lay the groundwork for further advancing the traditional friendship and cooperation between Việt Nam and Nicaragua, they said.

The Nicaraguan minister took the occasion to express sincere thanks to Việt Nam for its hospitality and extended an invitation to Deputy PM and FM Sơn to visit Nicaragua at a mutually convenient time. The host gladly accepted the invitation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and Algeria’s Minister Mujahedeen and Rights Holders Laid Rebigain HCM City on Wednesday.

At the meeting with Algeria’s Minister Mujahedeen and Rights Holders Laid Rebiga, Deputy PM Sơn thanked the minister and the Algerian delegation for participating in the celebration. He reiterated that Việt Nam always values the solidarity and invaluable support extended by the Government and people of Algeria during the years of fighting for national liberation and throughout the country’s ongoing development.

Minister Rebiga expressed his honour and delight in representing the Algerian Government at Việt Nam’s historic event, affirming that Việt Nam’s struggle for independence had inspired many African nations, including Algeria, to rise up to gain independence.

He stated that Algeria attaches great importance to the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.

He also voiced his admiration for Việt Nam’s robust transformation and development, particularly in the fields of economy and trade. He underlined Algeria’s readiness to contribute actively to enhancing bilateral ties in all aspects and proposed that the Việt Nam–Algeria Intergovernmental Committee convene soon to discuss concrete measures to advance relations.

To further strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries, Deputy PM Sơn suggested the two sides increase mutual visits at all levels, especially high-level ones, while enhancing coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums for peace and development in each country, each region and the world at large.

The host also proposed prioritising cooperation in energy, agriculture, and the development of Việt Nam’s Halal industry.

On this occasion, he called on the Algerian Government to facilitate Vietnamese investments in Algeria, particularly the expansion of the Bir Seba oil and gas project so that it becomes a symbol of effective economic cooperation and solidarity between the two nations.

The two sides agreed to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and educate younger generations on the heroic histories and resilient struggles of the two peoples, helping to preserve and build upon the valuable legacy of bilateral relations, cultivated by generations of leaders from both countries. — VNA/VNS