Delegates attend the ceremony on the symbolic reception of medical supplies worth USD500,000 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Vietnam’s fight against COVID-19. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
Speaking at the ceremony, Wibar Abdullah I. Albaseer, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam, expressed his hope that the package would contribute to Vietnam's effective prevention of COVID-19, and that Vietnam would soon control the pandemic and gradually restore socio-economic activities.
According to the Chargé d'affaires, the aid package was part of the Saudi Arabian Government’s 500 million USD budget used to support international efforts to fight COVID-19.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong said that Vietnam is impressed with the tough and effective measures implemented by the Government of Saudi Arabia in preventing and fighting COVID-19. “In particular, a vaccination campaign has been carried out quickly and makes Saudi Arabia one of the countries with the highest percentage of vaccination coverage in the world,” he said.
The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation of Saudi Arabia’s aid to Vietnam. “It’s such a meaningful gesture and a source of motivation to Vietnam during this difficult time, physically and mentally. The Ministry of Health is committed to using this precious gift wisely to fight the pandemic,” he pledged.
Highly appreciating the precious gesture that Saudi Arabia gave to Vietnam, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu expressed his belief that this meaningful gesture would deepen the affection and good relationship between the two countries.
In recent years, the relationship between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia has made many positive developments. In July 2021, the Foreign Ministries of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation to strengthen the cooperation framework between the two sides.
Even in the context of the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade turnover between the two countries still grew positively, reaching nearly USD1.6 billion in 2020 and more than USD1 billion in the first 6 months of 2021, an increase of 56% compared to the first 6 months of 2020.
Since the beginning of this year, Saudi Arabia has sent total support of more than USD800,000 for Vietnam to overcome the consequences of natural disasters and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government and people of Vietnam appreciate and remember this valuable help of the Government and people of Saudi Arabia./.