SA supports Vietnam bid for Security Council seat

President Thabo Mbeki

South Africa has thrown its weight behind Vietnam's bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) next year. President Thabo Mbeki announced South Africa's support at the start of his two-day visit to Vietnam where the two countries are exploring major trade and investment opportunities.

“We are pleased to convey our support for Vietnam's election of the 2008/2009 candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council,” said Mbeki.

South Africa took up its non-permanent seat in the UNSC six months ago. If successful, Vietnam would also be entering the UNSC for the first time. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude to the South Africans for supporting the Vietnamese candidacy,” said Nguyen Triet, the Vietnamese president.

Boosting trade relations
Various agreements to boost relations were signed. With a 94% literacy rate, Vietnam offered to help South Africa improve its literacy levels. “We are looking at exchange programmes where we can send postgraduate students to Vietnam and they can do the same,” said Naledi Pandor, the education minister.

The visit will give fresh impetus to the bilateral efforts to shore up two-way trade, which is currently just under R1 billion rands.

With Vietnam having joined the World Trade Organisation only last year, it is also a member of the Non Aligned Movement, the G77, and is now eyeing a non-permanent seat in the UNSC. Vietnam is well placed within the Africa-Asia alliance to play an influential role in global matters alongside its old South African ally.