Celebrating 65 Years of Vietnam-Morocco Relations
On March 27, 1961, Vietnam and Morocco officially established diplomatic relations, marking an important milestone in their historical connection. However, ties between the two nations date back to the 1940s and 1950s, a time when the struggle of the Vietnamese people against French colonialism, led by President Ho Chi Minh, inspired many Moroccan soldiers. These soldiers chose to support Vietnam's quest for national independence, thus laying the groundwork for a deepening relationship between the two countries.
According to Ambassador Le Kim Quy, the friendship between Vietnam and Morocco, which has been built on shared historical experiences, has been continuously strengthened over the past 65 years through solidarity and cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement aimed at fostering peace, development, and mutual prosperity. This enduring partnership serves as a remarkable testament to the strength and significance of South-South cooperation, contributing positively to the development processes of both nations.
Mutual Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors
In the political and diplomatic arena, both countries have maintained robust relations and actively exchanged delegations since 2004, including high-level visits. Numerous reciprocal visits by government and parliamentary representatives from both nations have taken place, further enhancing trust through cooperation mechanisms such as government committees, political consultations, and subcommittees focused on trade and industrial collaboration between Vietnam and Morocco.
The economic collaboration, although currently modest compared to its potential, has shown positive growth: bilateral trade volume tripled from $108.6 million in 2013 to over $300 million by 2021 and is projected to reach approximately $380 million by 2024. Consequently, Vietnam is expected to become Morocco's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN, while Morocco is anticipated to be Vietnam's ninth-largest trade partner in Africa by 2025.
Education and training form a core part of the bilateral cooperation. Since 2011, both nations have agreed to award ten scholarships annually to students from their respective countries. To date, over 60 Vietnamese students have studied in Morocco under government scholarships, focusing on fields such as Arabic, economics, architecture, and pharmacy. Furthermore, people-to-people diplomacy has been actively promoted by the friendship associations of both countries. Notably, Da Nang and Tangier signed a cooperation agreement in March 2019, and significant symbols of solidarity have emerged, such as the Vietnamese Gate in Kenitra, inaugurated in November 2022, reinforcing the connection between the generations of both nations.
In celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Le Kim Quy emphasized this milestone as a special occasion to honor their historical relationship and reaffirm their shared commitment to building a brighter future of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and nations. As the younger generations step forward, it is essential for them to deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation, ensuring that the rich history and significance of the friendship between Vietnam and Morocco continues to flourish.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
