Vietnamese, Sierra Leonean Presidents discuss ways to boost cooperative ties
Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio have agreed on orientations to foster cooperative relations between the two countries in the time to come.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) welcomes Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio have agreed on orientations to foster cooperative relations between the two countries in the time to come.
During their talks in Hanoi on March 15 following a welcoming ceremony for the Sierra Leonean leader, both Presidents expressed their delight at the fruitful development of the bilateral relationship in all fields.
President Phuc hailed the Sierra Leonean leader’s visit and congratulated the African country on its achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control. He believed that the country will reap more successes and reach all targets of the middle-term national development plan for the 2019-2023 period.
The Sierra Leonean President expressed his impression at socio-economic achievements of Vietnam in the recent past as well as its successes in pandemic control and economic recovery at present.
Despite modest value, two-way trade has been on the rise, increasing from 17 million USD in 2018 to 51.5 million USD in 2021, they noted, adding that both sides have worked together in agriculture and investment.
An overview of the talks. (Photo: VNA)
In the time to come, the two leaders agreed to continue to maintain visits and meetings at high level and all levels, while strengthening collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and assisting each other to expand partnerships at regional level in Africa through the African Union.
They concurred to consider economy as the focal cooperation area. Vietnam and Sierra Leone will optimise the strengths and potential of the two economies, while drastically implementing their signed agreements to boost trade ties, including the trading of rice.
Both sides will encourage and create favourable conditions for businesses of both sides to seek business and investment opportunities in each other’s country.
At the same time, the two countries will turn agriculture into a key pillar of the bilateral partnership, and share experience to promote cooperation in the field within bilateral and tripartite frameworks with the engagement of international organisations and countries with developed industry as well as the private sector.
The two leaders also focused discussion on seeking measures to expand collaboration in other areas such as high technology, telecommunications, digital transformation, innovation, and education and training.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two countries in agriculture. (Photo: VNA)
Following the talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of three cooperation deals between ministries and sectors of Vietnam and Sierra Leone in the fields of diplomacy, agriculture and fishery, which are expected to lay a foundation for the enhancement of cooperative ties between the two countries.
Earlier the same day, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and his spouse paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late leader’s mausoleum, and fallen combatants at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs on Bac Son street in Hanoi./.
Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma called on Vietnam to step up multi-faceted cooperation with his country, focusing on agriculture, fishery and mining.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the ambassadors of Sierra Leone, Nepal, Guatemala, the Maldives, and the Dominican Republic, who came to present their credentials, in Hanoi on March 9.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio's official visit to Vietnam from March 14-20 is expected to be a new step forwards in the development of ties between Vietnam and the West African country.
President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, his spouse, and the country’s high-ranking delegation arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on March 14 afternoon, starting a seven-day official visit to Vietnam.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) welcomes Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) 
An overview of the talks. (Photo: VNA) 
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two countries in agriculture. (Photo: VNA) 
