Vietnam wishes to develop more substantive and effective relations with the Arab League.

Photo caption — *President Luong Cuong with Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA*

AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his great joy and honor to welcome President Luong Cuong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to the Federation headquarters for the first time and respectfully invited the President to witness the Vietnamese flag-raising ceremony.

Immediately after the flag-raising ceremony, President Luong Cuong met with Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and leaders of the Federation.

At the meeting, Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his gratitude and emphasized the historical significance of the first visit to the AL headquarters by the President of Vietnam, demonstrating Vietnam's respect for the federation as well as the long-standing, close historical ties between the Vietnamese people and the Arab peoples. The Secretary General emphasized that Arab countries are looking forward to the important policy speech of President Luong Cuong at the Federation on this occasion.

The AL Secretary General shared that since the 1950s, the people of Egypt and Arab countries, including the Secretary General himself, have always followed the great struggle for national independence of the Vietnamese people, considering it a model for Egypt and Arab countries to follow in their national struggle.

Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that the struggle of the Vietnamese people is not only a highlight in the history of Vietnam but also a source of pride for the brotherly peoples of the world ; emphasizing that Vietnam can be proud of its history of national liberation struggle and can be even more proud of its remarkable achievements in recent times; at the same time affirming that "no words can fully express our admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, who did not hesitate to face difficulties to find a way for the Vietnamese people".

President Luong Cuong expressed his joy at visiting the AL headquarters for the first time and thanked the Secretary General for his warm, respectful and thoughtful reception of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

President Luong Cuong highly appreciated the role and active contributions of the Federation in maintaining peace, stability and development in the Middle East - Africa region as well as in the world; he believed that the AL will continue to achieve more achievements in building a united, prosperous and developed community in all fields.

Expressing his sincere gratitude for the deep affection that the Secretary General personally and the people of the Arab countries have for President Ho Chi Minh as well as for the country and people of Vietnam, President Luong Cuong affirmed that Vietnam wishes to develop better, more substantive and effective relations with the AL and all its members, most of whom are traditional friends and important economic partners of Vietnam.

To promote the foundation of good relations, President Luong Cuong suggested that Vietnam and AL member countries further strengthen political and diplomatic relations, constantly consolidate the close relationship, affection and trust between Vietnam and the member countries of the Federation; the two sides actively implement signed cooperation programs, especially the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the AL Secretariat.

President Luong Cuong also suggested that Vietnam and AL member countries increase consultation, close coordination and mutual support at multilateral mechanisms, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Agreeing with the Secretary General's proposal on promoting cooperation between the AL and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge connecting the AL with the ASEAN region.

Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit emphasized that the AL and its member countries attach importance to comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam and thanked Vietnam for its balanced viewpoint, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, on international issues, including supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people.

The Secretary General affirmed that within his capacity, he will strive to promote the relationship between Vietnam and the Federation and further deepen the relationship between Vietnam and the 22 member countries of the Federation.

Source: https://vpctn.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/hoat-dong-cua-chu-pich-nuoc/viet-nam-mong-muon-phat-trien-quan-he-thuc-chat-hieu-qua-hon-nua-voi-lien-doan-arap.html