Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 14 May (BelTA) – Cooperation between Belarus and Vietnam is a long-term affair and is aimed at multiplying mutually beneficial economic ties. The statement was made by Ambassador of Vietnam to Belarus Do Van Mai at the public function held in the House of Friendship on 14 May to mark the 60^th anniversary of the Vietnamese nation’s victory in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, BelTA has learned.

The Vietnamese diplomat mentioned the importance of cooperation with Belarus that began several decades ago. The Ambassador thanked the Belarusian nation for the huge aid in the fight for Vietnam’s independence. Do Van Mai remarked that thanks to the victory secured 60 years ago Northern Vietnam was completely freed from colonizers. “The victory near Dien Bien Phu heralded in a new age and opened a road to freedom for colonial countries in Africa and South America,” said the diplomat. “In the long fight for independence the Vietnamese nation received huge effective aid and support from all the peace-loving forces of the world, including the Belarusian nation. The Vietnamese nation never forgets about this aid”.

In turn, Head of the Office for Asia, Australia, and Oceania of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrei Grinkevich underlined that Belarus treasures friendship with Vietnam. “Over the last few years Belarusian-Vietnamese dialogue has been bolstered by a lot. We are connected by versatile political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation,” noted Andrei Grinkevich. “An extensive legal base now exists between our countries. We are connected by similar views, issues on the international agenda”. Some time ago Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei visited Vietnam. His meetings and negotiations touched upon opportunities for future expansion of Belarusian-Vietnamese interaction. Work is in progress to arrange a visit of Vietnam’s leadership to Minsk. Preparations for signing an agreement on free trade with Vietnam are also on the agenda of Belarusian-Vietnamese cooperation.