Antananarivo (VNA) – Agricultural cooperation is a pillar in theVietnamese-Madagascan relations, President Tran Dai Quang and his Madagascancounterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina said during their talks on November 25.

The talkswere held at Madagascar’s Presidential Palace following an official welcomingceremony for the Vietnamese leader, who is in the African nation to attend the16th Francophonie Summit.

Theyrejoiced at progress in the two countries’ traditional friendship and soundcooperation.

The hostleader underlined the importance of President Quang’s visit as this is thefirst time his country has welcomed a Vietnamese President.

He saidthe Madagascan people have long admired the Communist Party of Vietnam and theVietnamese people since the Southeast Asian country is a symbol of the strugglefor national liberation in the past as well as of current national development,particularly in poverty reduction, which has been recognised by many countriesaround the world.

PresidentQuang said his country is ready to cooperate with Madagascar in the fields itis strong in and Madagascar has demand for, especially agriculture, trade andinvestment.

He askedboth sides to soon sign important agreements such as those on double-taxationavoidance, and investment encouragement and protection so as to create a legalframework for business and investment partnerships.

The twoPresidents agreed to direct their respective agriculture ministries toexpeditiously organise meetings to devise concrete cooperation projects. TheVietnamese side repeated an invitation to Madagascar’s agriculture minister tovisit its country in the near future.

Vietnamand Madagascar should increase delegation exchanges at all levels and boosteconomic, trade and investment cooperation to intensify bilateral ties,President Quang said, asking Madagascar to provide optimal conditions forVietnam’s military-run telecom Viettel to invest in the local telecommunicationindustry.

Bothleaders highly valued the inauguration of Vietnam’s honorary consulate inMadagascar and described this as a milestone in the countries’ relations. Theconsulate is expected to help bring about practical outcomes in theircooperation in the time ahead.

At thetalks, they also exchanged views on many issues to improve cooperation withinthe International Organisation of La Francophonie. President Quang spoke highlyof Madagascar’s efforts to host the 16th Francophonie Summit.

Withregard to international and regional situations, the Vietnamese leader stressedthe significance of enhanced cooperation to maintain peace, stability anddevelopment, particularly to ensure freedom, security and safety of navigation.

The twosides highlighted the law-abiding spirit and the principle of resolving seadisputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Theyagreed to continue coordination at international forums, especially within theframework of the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement.

PresidentQuang took this occasion to ask Madagascar to support his country’s candidacyfor a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021tenure.

Hethanked the Madagascan Government for helping to renovate the complex ofPresident Ho Chi Minh statue at a square in downtown Antananarivo capital city,noting that the complex is a symbol of the countries’ time-honoured amity anddemonstrates Madagascan’s sentiment towards the late leader of Vietnam.

He alsoacknowledged favourable conditions the Madagascan Government has provided forVietnamese-origin people.

On thisoccasion, he invited HeryRajaonarimampianina to pay an official visit toVietnam. The Madagascan President thanked and accepted the invitation.

Following their talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of a memorandumof understanding on rice trading cooperation between Vietnam and Madagascar.

Also onNovember 25, President Quang laid a wreath at Ho Chi Minh Square inAntananarivo and visited Vietnam’s pavilion at the Francophone Village.

Talkingto Vietnamese-Madagascans, he assured the Vietnamese Party, State and peoplealways consider Madagascans of Vietnamese origin as an integral part of thecountry. He also acknowledged their contributions to the development of Vietnamand hoped that they will keep solidarity and work harder for the sake ofMadagascar as well as bilateral relations.-VNA