Nguyễn Bích Hường9 minutes ago

CAIRO — As part of Vietnamese President Lương Cường’s state visit to Egypt, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn on Tuesday met with Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania A. Al-Mashat, who also serves as Chair of the Egyptian Subcommittee of the Việt Nam–Egypt Joint Committee.

Son praised Egypt’s impressive development achievements in various sectors and welcomed the two countries’ agreement to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. He proposed that the Joint Committee promptly develop an action plan to implement the joint statement issued during the visit.

Minister Al-Mashat expressed her deep affection for Việt Nam, saying that she and many Egyptians had eagerly anticipated President Cuong's visit, believing it would inject fresh momentum into the bilateral relationship. She noted her multiple visits to Việt Nam and her interest in learning from its development experience, which she hoped could contribute to Egypt’s own socio-economic progress.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of key agreements reached during the President’s visit. This includes organising the 6th session of the Việt Nam–Egypt Joint Committee and the 3rd session of the Subcommittee on Trade and Industry Cooperation in 2025.

They also agreed to promote exchanges aimed at launching negotiations for a Việt Nam–Egypt Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a breakthrough measure to increase bilateral trade volume and promote sustainable, mutually beneficial economic cooperation. In addition, both sides pledged to expedite negotiations toward the early signing of important legal frameworks, particularly the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation.

Minister Al-Mashat affirmed that Egypt is ready to support Vietnamese businesses, including facilitating their access to financial resources to expand operations and investment in the Egyptian market.

On the same day, Deputy PM Sơn also met with the leadership of European Plastic Joint Stock Company (EuroPlas), a Vietnamese company currently operating in Egypt.

He applauded EuroPlas as a pioneering and leading Vietnamese investor in Egypt, representing a dynamic, creative, and internationally integrated Vietnamese business community. He urged the company to strictly comply with local laws, strengthen ties with other Vietnamese businesses looking to invest in Egypt, and help Egyptian firms interested in the Vietnamese market.

At the meeting, Deputy PM Sơn listened to reports from EuroPlas on the progress and direction of its project in Egypt. Chairman Hoàng Quốc Huy affirmed the company’s commitment to contributing to growing Việt Nam's investment footprint in the country. — VNA/VNS