Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed his keenness to develop brotherly relations between Egypt and Vietnam following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang in Cairo. Speaking at a press conference, El-Sisi said Quang's visit was of special importance as it was the first visit by a Vietnamese president to Egypt since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 55 years ago. "These historic visits, as well as meetings between both countries' officials on several occasions, resemble the regard by both countries in boosting ties between another," Sisi said. Sisi visited Hanoi in September last year, in the first such visit by an Egyptian president. Sisi said that the pair had held "fruitful" talks, discussing the means of boosting bilateral relations at all levels. The round of talks also involved talks on supporting political, economic, security, and military relations between both countries, and means of combating terrorism. The leaders also discussed opening Vietnamese markets for Egyptian exports, among discussions on revitalising touristic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Quang said he has held "successful talks" with Sisi, and that both leaders had agreed on boosting relations in politics, economy, science, technology, education, defence, and security. "We agreed on increasing the trade exchange volume between both countries to $1 billion," Quang said, welcoming joint committee meetings on an exchange of information and investment opportunities in both countries. He added that they both agreed on an exchange of visits between the two countries' officials while boosting defence and security cooperation. Several deals related to attracting trade, supporting agriculture, and cooperating in the field of fuel were also signed. Quang arrived in Luxor on Saturday, the first day of a four-day state visit. Egypt and Vietnam have enjoyed an improving trade partnership and investment relations in recent years. Vietnam imports chemicals, honey, petroleum products, dairy products, and textiles from Egypt at a value of $8.7 million annually. Egyptian imports $221.3 million worth of Vietnamese goods annually, including fish, seafood, textiles, clothing, mobile phones, equipment, spare parts, and vehicles. Source: Ahram Online
