Hanoi (VNA) –President Tran Dai Quang and his Spouse made a State-level visit to Ethiopiafrom August 23-25 at the invitation of President Mulatu Teshome. On theoccasion, the two sides issued a joint statement.

During the visit, PresidentQuang on August 23 held talks with President Mulatu Teshome who later hosted astate banquet in honor of the guest. President Quang also had separate meetingswith Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Speaker of the House of Federation KeriaIbrahim, and visited the headquarters of the African Union (AU) and met with AUActing President Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil.

In the meeting with PM AbiyAhmed, President Quang spoke highly of Ethiopian’s efforts in maintaining astable political environment and the highest economic growth in Africa. The PM congratulatedVietnam on the country’s important achievements in socio-economic developmentand in foreign relations, and expressed his wish for strengthened cooperationwith Vietnam in various fields.

In their talks, the twoPresidents exchanged ideas on bilateral, regional and international issues ofmutual concern. The host leader stressed that the first visit by the VietnamesePresident created a landmark and brought bilateral relations forwards by animportant step.

In the economic field, thetwo leaders agreed on the need to continue pushing the bilateral cooperation,as the two countries are enjoying great potential in developing economy andtrade. The Ethiopian sides welcomed Vietnamese enterprises to invest in variousfields, and the two sides agreed to implement the deal on aviation service andto open direct flights between the two countries at an early date.

The two leaders witnessedthe signing of various cooperation agreements, and agreed to continuediscussions so as to proceed to the signing of many others. The two sideshighly valued the traditional bilateral relations of cooperation and friendship,and affirmed the need to intensify the political trust between the twocountries.

Both leaders spoke highly ofthe other country’s role and position in regional and international organizationsto which they are members such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement,the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Ethiopianside took note that Vietnam is the only candidate of Asia – Pacific to become anon-permanent member of the Security Council of the UN for the 2020-2021 tenure.President Quang expressed support for Ethiopia to join the World Trade Organization.

The two sides affirmed theirreadiness to strengthen cooperation in many fields as well as joint efforts forprogress and prosperity in Asia – Pacific and Africa. President Quang highly valuedthe role by Ethiopia in peacekeeping missions of the UN, while President MulatuTeshome expressed readiness to cooperate and share with Vietnam experiences inthis field.

The two leaders held thatpeace and stability are essential needs for the goal of development and thebuilding of a prosperous life for the mankind. The two sides called on theinternational community to join hands to settle armed conflicts by peacefulmeans. President Quang welcomed the signing of a peace agreement betweenEthiopia and Eritrea. The two sides affirmed the importance of strengtheninginternational cooperation against terrorism, a common threat to peace-lovingnations.

President QuanginvitedPresident Mulatu Teshome and PM Abiy Ahmed to visit Vietnam at an early date,and the invitation was accepted.-VNA