Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures the sound traditionalrelations with Madagascar, Ambassador to Mozambique and Madagascar Le Huy Hoangtold Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampiania after presentingcredentials on August 23.

He said he wants to work with relevant ministries and sectors of the hostnation to bolster multi-faceted cooperation, especially in the fields oftelecommunications, trade-investment and agriculture, as well as enhancecoordination at regional and international forums.

Also, he expressed his hope that both sides will support each other atmultilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Francophone InternationalOrganisation, and Non-aligned Movement, while asking Madagascar to back Vietnamin its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for2020-2021 tenure.

For his part, the President said that Madagascar always attaches muchimportance to fostering the traditional friendship and cooperation withVietnam.

He wished that both countries will see further practical collaboration invarious sectors, including economy, trade and investment, telecommunicationsand agriculture, and hailed Vietnam’s experience sharing in socio-economicdevelopment.

The host leader promised to consider supporting the Southeast Asian country’sefforts to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He hoped that the Vietnamese diplomat will have positive contributions toconsolidating and developing the friendship and cooperation between the twonations.

The same day, Ambassador Hoang paid courtesy visits to Speaker of theParliament of Madagascar Rakotomamonjy Jean Max, and Speaker of the SenateRakotovao Rivo. He also met with Ministers of Industry, Public Works,Telecommunications, and Agriculture. The two sides talked ways to enhanceparliamentary relations, and foster collaboration in agriculture,infrastructure development and machine imports.

Earlier on August 22, Hoang came to meet Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs andMinister of Defence Rasolofonirina Beni Xavier to discuss bilateral collaborationin these fields.

On the occasion, Hoang and the Vietnamese community in Madagascar paid a floraltribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in the Ho Chi Minh square.He also had a meeting with the Vietnamese community in the host nation, andvisited the office of the Vietnamese Honorary Consul to Antananarivo and somehistoric and cultural sites in the capital.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island country in the world, with a coastlineof 4,828 kilometres and a population of 24.5 million people. The country’seconomy still relies on agriculture, mining, tourism, and garment andtextiles.-VNA