South Africa supports Vietnam’s bid to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008/09, President Thabo Mbeki said on a visit to Hanoi on Thursday.
Mbeki and Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet agreed to broaden friendly relations, which stretch back to the 1970s when Mbeki’s then-exiled African National Congress was fighting apartheid and the communists unified Vietnam.
”We are very pleased to convey to the president our support for the election of Vietnam to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2008/09,” Mbeki, standing in front of a large bust of independence leader Ho Chi Minh, said at a press briefing in the presidential palace.
Vietnam is Asia’s only candidate for the seat.
Triet thanked Mbeki for the support and for recognising its market economy status.
Communist-run Vietnam became the newest member of the World Trade Organisation in January but it remains among the world’s poorest countries with an annual average per capita income of $720 last year.
Its gradual economic market reforms of the past 20 years, however, have lifted millions out of poverty and improved standards of living.
The two presidents agreed to cooperate on trade, science, technology, culture and education. – Reuters