Viet Nam, Algeria upgrade bilateral ties to Strategic Partnership

During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers informed each other about recent developments in respective countries and chart major orientations for both sides to furthre advance the bilateral relations. They also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern.

Prime Minister Ghrieb affirmed that the Government of Algeria is resolved to maintain and promote the traditional and friendly relations between the two countries, which were nurtured from the history of the two peoples' shared struggle for independence and freedom.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pham congratulated on Algeria's great achievements in its national construction process as well as the African country's rising role and position on the international arena, emphasizing that Viet Nam always treasures the traditional and friendly relations and solidarity with Algeria.

Building on such foundation, the two leaders agreed to elevate the two countries' ties to a Strategic Partnership, affirming that both sides will strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels in order to consolidate political trust and mutual understanding while expanding cooperation in various fields through the current cooperation mechanisms.

Given the current context, Prime Minister Pham suggested the two sides need to unite together to be strong, cooperate for mutual benefits, and sustain dialogues to consolidate trust in a bid to create breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation.

He asked the Algerian side to continue assisting the Viet Nam National Industry and Energy Group (Petrovietnam) to expand investment in Algeria to make it a symbol of cooperation between Viet Nam and Algeria and to contribute to Algeria's dynamic development.

Pham also calld on the two sides to beef up defense and security cooperation as a new pillar of the bilateral relations; enhance cooperation in agriculture. He suggested Algeria support Viet Nam to boost cooperation with the African Union and the Arab League and member countries of these two organizations.

Both sides agreed to continue coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement; work together to promote South-South cooperation and to improve the role and position of developing countries.

In the spirit of international solidarity and respect for the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, Prime Minister Pham emphasized that Viet Nam stands ready to join the international community in peace-keeping efforts. For the East Sea issue, Pham suggested Algeria back ASEAN's positions, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea on the basis of respect for the interests of the littoral countries in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./.