Pretoria, Nov. 25 (VNA) - Relations between South Africa and Viet Nam have exceeded the bilateral framework, reaching the vision of the Asian and African continents, President Thabo Mbeki said at a banquet given to Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Pretoria on Wednesday.

President Mbeki praised the Vietnamese people's struggle for national independence in the past, which encouraged the South African people in their struggle against Apartheid. He thanked the Vietnamese people for special solidarity with the South African people during their struggle for freedom.

The two countries have signed many important agreements, he said, expressing his hope that more opportunities will be created to boost economic and commercial cooperation in the future when a joint commission for trade cooperation is set up.

He said he believed that the entrepreneurs, who are accompanying the PM, would join their South African counterparts to contribute more to national development in each country.

For his part, PM Khai said, as an important country in Africa, South Africa's achievements would be a large source of encouragement for other African countries in economic development. He added that under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki, South Africa would set new milestones in its national development, contributing to raise the position of African and developing countries in the international arena.

Khai further said though far apart geographically, the two countries shared the same desire for independence. The Vietnamese people will never forget that in the late 60s, President Mbeki, who was then a student, joined others, protesting the war in Viet Nam. Traditional solidarity and mutual support will be important properties of the two people in their current national constructions. The process of South Africa's national conciliation and Viet Nam's renewal process have been constantly growing since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

PM Khai stressed that the two sides would develop the cooperative opportunities discussed during the visit to bring the economic-commercial relations equivalent to the traditional political relations. Facing challenges arising from the current process of globalisation, the two nations should boost bilateral cooperation  to promote a world of peace, equality, democracy and prosperity.

PM Khai and President Mbeki held a joint press conference on Wednesday after signing their joint declaration on partnership cooperation and development.

Speaking at the press briefing, President Mbeki said the agreements signed during PM Khai's visit would be a legal framework for the two countries' cooperation in economy, trade, and education. The two governments have agreed to devise detailed steps and measures for their respective ministries and agencies with the aim of making the signed agreements and deals become true, he added.

The South African President said he will officially visit Viet Nam in 2005.

PM Khai said Viet Nam appreciates South Africa's international and regional roles. Presently, the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries remains great, therefore, South African and Vietnamese ministries and sectors should put forward practical solutions to bringing the cooperative relations to a new height, he said.

The Vietnamese PM stressed that the establishment of a joint trade committee is very necessary, saying it will facilitate mutual understanding between the two nations' government agencies and businesses. The committee will be tasked with researching the import demands of the two countries respectively as well as Vietnamese export items to other African countries via South Africa, he added.

PM Khai said he welcomed the South African President's visit to Viet Nam next year and believed that the two sides will sign agreements on investment encouragement and protection and double taxation avoidance.