The Vietnamese Government wants to further tighten the traditionalfriendship with the Republic of Botswana, a Vietnamese diplomat hassaid.

The new Vietnamese Ambassador to the African country, LeHuy Hoang, made the assertion during a recent meeting with BotswanaPresident Seretse Khama Ian Khama in the capital city of Gaborone,during which he presented his credentials to the host.

Hoang congratulated Botswana on the great achievements that thecountry has achieved in recent years under the leadership of theBotswana Democratic Party, which has contributed to peace anddevelopment in Africa and the world.

He also urged the BotswanaGovernment to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy, and called on itto support Vietnam’s candidacy for membership of the UNESCO ExecutiveCouncil, the UN Economic and Social Council and the United NationsSecurity Council.

The diplomat also proposedseveral measures to strengthen cooperation between the two countries,especially in economics, trade, educations and agriculture production.

For his part, Ian Khama expressed his hope that theambassador, in his new position, will serve as a bridge to forge linksbetween the two sides, contributing to promoting their friendship andcooperation.

He also suggested that the twocountries should soon sign a cooperative agreement on economics, cultureand technical science, as well as hasten negotiations on theimplementation of agricultural projects under a trilateral cooperationmodel in Botswana.

In regards to recentdevelopments in the East Sea, the host voiced his deep concern aboutChina’s illegally placement of an oil rig in Vietnam’s waters, affirmingthat the use of battleships to threaten and provoke small countries isan outdated and dangerous policy.

All disputes should be solved through peaceful measures in line with international law, the President noted.-VNA