Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly welcomed Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his high-level delegation on Tuesday at the Cabinet’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, as part of an official visit aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation and upgrading ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The meeting, attended by key Egyptian officials including the Ministers of Education, Agriculture, and representatives from the Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs, reflected a mutual commitment to deepening cooperation across sectors ranging from trade and agriculture to energy, education, and digital transformation. From the Vietnamese side, senior party and government officials, including the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Education, joined the discussions.
A Longstanding Friendship and New Strategic Horizon
At the outset of the talks, Prime Minister Madbouly expressed his appreciation for the historic friendship between Egypt and Vietnam, which dates back to 1963 when Egypt became one of the first countries in the region to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. He described the current momentum in bilateral ties as a reflection of shared political will and mutual respect, further evidenced by the high-level Vietnamese visits to Egypt in recent years.
Madbouly noted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s recent meeting with President Thuong had set the stage for a new chapter in relations, as both leaders agreed to elevate the partnership to a “comprehensive cooperation framework.” This new framework aims to expand collaboration across all areas, particularly agriculture, industrial development, trade, investment, and renewable energy.
Focus on Trade, Investment, and Renewable Energy
Highlighting Vietnam’s successful development model, Madbouly acknowledged the similarities in the economic challenges faced by both countries and expressed Egypt’s interest in emulating Vietnam’s pragmatic approach to sustainable growth. He underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade, calling for both sides to leverage their respective trade agreements to facilitate market access for goods in surrounding regions.
He also encouraged Vietnamese companies to explore opportunities in Egypt, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy and industrial development, and proposed the creation of a joint Egypt-Vietnam Business Council to promote private-sector engagement.
Education, Cybersecurity, and Cultural Exchange
In the field of education, Madbouly noted Egypt’s provision of scholarships to Vietnamese students, including through Al-Azhar University, and called for greater academic and cultural exchanges. He also expressed interest in participating in Vietnam’s upcoming international agreement on combating cybercrime, scheduled for signing this November.
The Egyptian Prime Minister also sought Vietnam’s support for Egypt’s nominee, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, for the post of UNESCO Director-General.
Vietnam’s Perspective and Presidential Invitation
For his part, President Thuong expressed his admiration for the development and infrastructure progress he witnessed during his visit to Egypt, particularly in the New Administrative Capital. He praised Egypt’s civilizational legacy and described the Grand Egyptian Museum as a modern-day symbol of that heritage.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s desire to deepen ties with Egypt, echoing President El-Sisi’s call to elevate relations to a strategic level. Thuong invited Madbouly to visit Vietnam and emphasized the importance of closer coordination in regional and international forums.
The Vietnamese president proposed accelerating negotiations on key bilateral agreements, including a double taxation avoidance treaty and market access for agricultural products. He also called for expanded cooperation in green energy, digital innovation, and oil exploration, and announced plans to appoint a coordinator to oversee the implementation of the new strategic partnership.
Toward Implementation
In conclusion, Prime Minister Madbouly directed Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant government bodies to follow up on the outcomes of the meeting and ensure swift implementation of the partnership roadmap. He conveyed his best wishes for Vietnam’s continued prosperity and affirmed Egypt’s commitment to stronger, deeper ties with Hanoi.
The visit marks a significant milestone in Egypt-Vietnam relations and lays a concrete foundation for future cooperation rooted in mutual respect, shared development goals, and a common vision for global peace and prosperity.
