Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultation between the two ministries on Monday. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bùi Thanh Sơn, and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultation between the two ministries.

Speaking at the virtual signing ceremony, the ministers expressed their pleasure at the ongoing development of the Việt Nam-Saudi Arabia relationship, as well as the close cooperation between the ministries.

The Saudi Arabian minister lauded Việt Nam’s development achievements and increasingly prominent position in the international arena. He also congratulated the country on its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

For his part, Sơn affirmed that Việt Nam attaches great importance to consolidating and enhancing its friendship and engagement with Saudi Arabia – one of Việt Nam’s most important partners in the Middle East.

The signing of the MoU will contribute to establishing a framework for enhancing collaboration between the two ministries and countries, he said.

The ministers also used the occasion to exchange views on bilateral issues of shared concern.

Việt Nam, Egypt discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Sơn on Monday had a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Hassan Shoukry. They discussed measures to promote bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at multilateral forums.

During their conversation, the two ministers expressed their joy at the progression of the Việt Nam – Egypt relationship in recent time, and pledged to further deepen all-around cooperation between the two countries.

They agreed to resume an exchange of delegations at all levels and closely coordinate in issues of common concern. They also agreed to support the candidacy of each other at international organisations.

Notably, Sơn requested that Egypt support Việt Nam to set up official relations with the African Union (AU).

The two officials agreed to exert their best efforts to lift bilateral trade turnover to US$1 billion, and to share their experiences and enact measures to promote post-pandemic tourism recovery.

They also exchanged views on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and expressed their support for resolving related issues by peaceful means.

Sơn used the occasion to invite Shoukry to visit Việt Nam. The Egyptian minister accepted the invitation and expressed his desire to welcome Sơn to Egypt at a suitable time. —VNS