Vietnam's New Ambassador Calls on Ambassador Haidari: They Discuss Traditional Afghanistan-Vietnam Ties

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Colombo: - The new Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka and Maldives Ho Thi Thanh Truc paid a courtesy call on Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, following the departure of Ambassador Pham T. B. Ngoc, who recently wrapped up her successful tenure in Sri Lanka. They recalled the friendly ties that have historically existed between Afghanistan and Vietnam since September 16, 1974 when the two countries first established diplomatic relations. Four years later, Vietnam opened an Embassy in Kabul in 1978, which operated there until 1992, since when the country has maintained mutually beneficial relations with Afghanistan through its mission to Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s mission to China is accredited to Vietnam and has striven to further develop bilateral relations with Vietnam, with which Afghanistan has signed several major bilateral cooperation agreements and MOUs, encompassing collaboration in trade, telecommunications, air transportation, culture, science and education, consular services, as well as consultation between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

Ambassador Haidari took note of the agreement on diplomatic visa exemption, which the two countries signed in 1987. It should now enable both sides to increase diplomatic interaction, including exchange of high-level delegations on issues of mutual interest, most of which the signed agreements already cover.

“There is no reason why our relations with Vietnam shouldn’t fully be revitalized. Vietnam’s multi-directional foreign policy matches that of Afghanistan’s multi-alignment approach to results-driven, cooperative international relations and partnerships. We are quite inspired by Vietnam’s fast rise and notable progress in all sectors of sustainable development, following the country’s war years. That is why we look forward to learning relevant lessons from Vietnam for application in the post-conflict and post-peace Afghanistan,” Ambassador Haidari told his new Vietnamese counterpart.

Ambassador Haidari appreciated Vietnam’s previous participation in international support conferences on Afghanistan, including its financial aid to the country through UNICEF. In the recent months, Vietnam has provided COVID-19 PPE assistance to a number of countries, which Ambassador Haidari had discussed with his former counterpart and mentioned it to Ambassador Ho Thi Thanh Truc. 

Ambassador Haidari wished the Ambasasdor the best in her new job, and offered her the full support of the Afghan Embassy, which maintains strong working relations with the whole diplomatic community in Colombo.    

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Related: Afghanistan-Vietnam Relations

Last modified on Wednesday, 21/04/2021

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