National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn (right) meets with Mustapha El Ktiri, President of the Morocco–Việt Nam Friendship Association on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo

RABAT — National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn had a meeting with Mustapha El Ktiri, President of the Morocco–Việt Nam Friendship Association (MVFA), in Rabat on the morning of July 26 (local time), as part of the Vietnamese top legislator's ongoing official visit to Morocco.

The NA Chairman expressed his pleasure at leading a high-level Vietnamese delegation to Morocco on behalf of the Party and State leaders, and at the opportunity to meet with the President and members of the association – long-time Moroccan friends who have consistently shown affection and solidarity with Việt Nam.

He underlined the historical closeness between the two nations, despite geographical distance, noting their shared aspirations for freedom, peace and national liberation.

During Việt Nam’s struggle for national liberation, many Moroccan soldiers, inspired by Việt Nam’s just cause under the leadership of President Hồ Chí Minh, defected from colonial forces and joined the Vietnamese resistance. Some of them later stayed on to contribute to the country's post-war reconstruction and development, he noted.

The Vietnamese NA leader affirmed that this legacy of mutual support during wartime has laid a strong foundation for enduring friendship and cooperation. Political trust between the two countries continues to deepen, with both sides looking forward to celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 – a landmark moment in bilateral ties.

He highlighted Morocco as Việt Nam’s second-largest trade partner in North Africa. Bilateral trade exceeded US$300 million in 2024, and in just the first five months of 2025, the figure had already surpassed $320 million, signalling substantial untapped market potential for both sides, he said.

The NA Chairman praised the Morocco–Việt Nam Friendship Association for its close coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Morocco in organising various diplomatic events and creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community and people of Vietnamese descent living and working in Morocco.

He described the Association as a vital bridge for bilateral friendship, noting its efforts to promote Vietnamese culture and heritage through projects such as the building of the Việt Nam Gate in Morocco and the Morocco Gate in Việt Nam – cultural landmarks aimed at preserving shared memories for future generations.

Applauding the results of MVFA President El Ktiri’s visit to Việt Nam in October 2024, NA Chairman Mẫn proposed the association and its Vietnamese peer continue discussions on signing a memorandum of understanding to formalise cooperation activities, especially in the fields of culture, education, economics, trade and investment.

He noted his successful meetings with Morocco’s Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speaker of the House of Councillors.

In those discussions, both sides agreed on the need to enhance political trust and parliamentary diplomacy, but also acknowledged that economic and trade cooperation remains modest relative to its potential.

NA Chairman Mẫn emphasised that the high-level Vietnamese delegation, comprising leaders from the National Assembly, Government, ministries and localities, was keen to explore investment opportunities in Morocco across industry, agriculture, commerce and services.

For his part, MVFA President El Ktiri welcomed the visit by NA Chairman Mẫn and the high-level delegation, viewing it as a continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries and a catalyst for further cooperation in all sectors.

He agreed with the Vietnamese NA leader's assessment of Morocco–Việt Nam relations and expressed delight at their positive trajectory, particularly in trade and investment.

He said that the Morocco–Việt Nam Friendship Association was founded in 2017 to strengthen people-to-people ties. Việt Nam has also established its own Việt Nam–Morocco Friendship Association, and both organisations have been actively working to advance common goals.

He said he hopes the two sides would increase exchanges leading up to the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

Paying tribute to the historical legacies shared by the two nations, especially in their struggles for national liberation, El Ktiri said many Moroccan researchers have compiled documents and published works to preserve these collective memories.

He pledged to continue working closely with Vietnamese authorities to further promote and deepen bilateral cooperation. — VNA/VNS