TheCable

Zubairu Dada, minister of state for foreign affairs, says Nigeria and the Vietnamese delegation, led by Vuong Dinh Hue, deputy prime minister of Vietnam, has signed an agreement on visa waiver for holders of valid diplomatic and official passports.

Dada made this known on Wednesday during a dinner organised in honour of Hue at the state house Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The minister said the Vietnamese delegation had demonstrated willingness to strengthen relationship between the two countries.

“Indications are that their engagements are very fruitful and they are willing to take the relationship to the next level,” he said.

“On our part, we are, ready and willing to reciprocate; to pick up the challenge they have thrown to us.

“This evening, we signed an agreement on waiving visa for people carrying a diplomatic passport.”

Speaking during the dinner, Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria and Vietnam had maintained longstanding diplomatic relations since 1976 but there were no high-level engagements.

NAN reports that the VP witnessed the signing and exchange of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the visa waiver.

“So, this visit is very significant because we will be looking at the possibility of setting up a bilateral commission between Vietnam and Nigeria so that we can concretise the existing areas of cooperation that we discussed earlier today,” Osinbajo said.

“I am confident that we can build on the successes recorded in the past while we work on boosting cooperation in business, trade and investment and social and cultural relationship between both countries.

“We agreed on promoting a friendly football match between Vietnam and Nigeria. The Super Eagles and the Vietnamese National Team and as well the Female National Team of Vietnam and our Super Falcons.”

In his response, Hue said Nigeria and Vietnam had a lot of things in common. He added that aside boosting economic and trade ties, there was the need to enhance a cultural relationship between the two countries.