At the talks, held right after the welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese leader, Cecilia Moreau affirmed that the visit is extremely important in further strengthening the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina in general and the relationship between the two legislative bodies in particular, especially on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties diplomatic relations (October 25, 1973 - 2023).

She said she admires President Ho Chi Minh, the heroic country and people of Vietnam in the past struggle for independence and freedom, and is impressed with the current socio-economic development of the country.

Highlighting the fine relationship between the two countries, especially in politics, economy, culture, parliament, and people-to-people exchange, she expressed her belief that the visit will contribute to deepening the Vietnam-Argentina comprehensive partnership as well as the parliamentary relations between the two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

NA Chairman Hue congratulated Cecilia Moreau on being elected as President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina on March 1, 2023 and expressed his delight at the recent establishment of the Argentina-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing relations with Argentina, one of its leading partners in Latin America, and expressed his wish that the two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges and coordination in order to further develop the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries in a substantive, effective and intensive manner.

The two sides held that over the past time the Vietnam-Argentina Comprehensive Partnership has developed positively, substantively and effectively in many fields, from politics-diplomacy, economy and trade, to education, agriculture and justice.

The nations have maintained delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; and effectively promoted cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-governmental Committee and the political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Both leaders showed their pleasure with the increasing two-way trade turnover, reaching more than 4.8 billion USD in 2022, which continues to be a bright spot in the bilateral relationship. Argentina is currently the third largest trading partner of Vietnam in Latin America while Vietnam is Argentina’s 5th largest important export market in Asia. The two sides have always cooperated and supported each other at international forums and organizations.

During the talks, the two sides agreed to promote the exchange of visits on all channels; coordinate in organising meaningful activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations; effectively implement cooperation agreements and promote collaboration in agriculture, economy-trade, science-technology, education, tourism, sports and culture. At the same time, they will expand cooperation in new fields such as high-tech industry, digital transformation, innovation, climate change response, and sustainable growth; and strengthen cooperation between localities, thus pushing the comprehensive implementation of the Vietnam-Argentina cooperation, towards the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in agriculture, industry and energy.

Hue proposed Argentina speed up the early completion of the internal consultation process between member countries of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to together with Vietnam, announce the start of negotiations on a MERCOSUR-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He suggested the Latin American country create favourable conditions for Vietnam's key agricultural products to enter the Argentinean market, thereby balancing the bilateral trade in a long and sustainable way.

The leaders agreed that the two parliaments should work together to promote, encourage and create favourable conditions for activities of the two countries’ businesses, including opening the market for their key agricultural products, supporting enterprises to access each other's markets to carry out business and investment activities, thus contributing to economic development for each country’s nation building and development cause. They should also promote the role of the legislative body in building and strengthening of a legal corridor to facilitate the implementation of bilateral cooperation activities in a stable and long-term manner.

Both host and guest appreciated the positive development of the two parliaments’ relationship, reflected through regular exchanges and support for each other's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in exchanging experience in lawmaking, supervision and decision-making on important issues; promoting coordination at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); and supporting each other's stance on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Vietnamese top legislator showed his hope that the Congress of the Argentine Nation will send a delegation to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by the Vietnamese NA in September. He also took the occasion to invite Cecilia Moreau to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders signed a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures.

On the same day, NA Chairman Hue and the Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the monument to José de San Martín, the national hero of South American countries, in Buenos Aires.

Earlier on April 23 afternoon (local time), they paid a floral tribute at the monument to President Ho Chi Minh in the capital city of Argentina.

Vietnam treasures relations with Argentina: NA Chairman

Vietnam always attaches importance to the relationship with Argentina, one of its leading partners in Latin America, said National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue at a meeting with Argentinean President Alberto Angel Fernandez in Buenos Aires on April 24 (local time).

The Vietnamese leader affirmed that his visit aims to further develop the Vietnam-Argentina Comprehensive Partnership on all channels in a more practical and effective manner, towards a Strategic Partnership in industry, agriculture, and energy for the benefits of the two peoples as well as for peace, cooperation and development in the two regions.

Hue congratulated President Alberto A. Fernandez on his success in COVID-19 control, economic recovery, and improving people's lives and social security.

Informing the host about the results of his talks with President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina Cecilia Moreau, NA Chainman Hue said the two sides agreed to implement specific measures to promote parliamentary cooperation; ties in politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, sports-football, science-technology; and locality-to-locality cooperation.

The two sides held that over the past time the Vietnam-Argentina Comprehensive Partnership has developed positively, substantively and effectively in many fields, from politics-diplomacy, economy and trade, to education, agriculture and justice.

The nations have maintained delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; and effectively promoted cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-governmental Committee and the political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Both sides showed their pleasure with the increasing two-way trade turnover, reaching more than 4.8 billion USD in 2022, which continues to be a bright spot in the bilateral relationship. Argentina is currently the third largest trading partner of Vietnam in Latin America while Vietnam is Argentina’s 5th largest important export market in Asia. 

They agreed to further deepen political-diplomatic relations and people-to-people exchanges, while taking advantage of their products that can complement each other to bring bilateral trade to 10 billion USD by 2025.

At the same time, they will expand cooperation in new fields such as high-tech industry, digital transformation, innovation, climate change response, and sustainable growth; and strengthen cooperation between localities, thus pushing the comprehensive implementation of the Vietnam-Argentina cooperation, towards the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in agriculture, industry and energy.

NA Chairwoman Hue emphasised that strengthening cooperation between the two legislatures makes an important contribution to promoting bilateral relations in general as well as establishing and implementing a favourable legal corridor between the two countries in particular;

He proposed Argentina increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, push for the start of negotiations on a MERCOSUR-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and promote the effective and regular implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-governmental Committee and the political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

He suggested the Latin American country create favourable conditions for Vietnam's key agricultural products to enter the Argentinean market, thereby balancing the bilateral trade in a long and sustainable way.

President Alberto A. Fernandez affirmed that the Argentinean Government appreciates Vietnam’s increasing reputation and position in the region and in the world. He affirmed that the two countries still see great potential for cooperation, especially in agriculture, science and technology, energy, and climate change response.

He stressed the need for the two governments to continue paying attention to creating favourable conditions for each country's key agricultural products to access each other's market, step up trade promotion activities, and connect businesses.

On this occasion, Hue also conveyed President Vo Van Thuong’s invitation to President Alberto A. Fernandez to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The latter accepted the invitation.

Vietnam, Argentina agree to boost cooperation in legislative affairs

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of the Honourable Senate of the Argentine Nation and Vice President of the country, in Buenos Aires on April 24 afternoon (local time).

Expressing his delight to visit Argentina for the first time, Hue said that his trip not only helps strengthen and tighten Vietnam’s traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Argentina, including the relationship between the two parliaments, but also is a start for a series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (October 25, 1973 - 2023).

He affirmed Vietnam's desire to further deepen the Vietnam-Argentina Comprehensive Partnership, saying that his visit will contribute to consolidating and developing the bilateral friendship and cooperation in an increasingly substantive and effective manner.

Kirchner said that she always considers Vietnam one of the development models in Southeast Asia in particular and Asia in general that Argentina admires.

She added that when she served as the Argentinean President from 2007 to 2015, she had always supported the promotion of relations with Vietnam, an important partner of Argentina in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two leaders discussed the recent situation of the world and each country; shared concern about the difficulties and challenges facing countries due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of supply chain disruptions stemming from conflicts in some regions of the world.

The two sides agreed to maintain close cooperation and coordination and share experience in legislative work regarding issues such as assisting the poor, social welfare, and national development, thereby supporting each other to overcome current global difficulties and challenges.

They said that on the basis of fine political relations, the relationship between the two legislatures has also made progress and contributed importantly to strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership.

The leaders appreciated the two countries' organisation of a business forum on the occasion of Hue’s visit, affirming that strengthened cooperation between businesses will create an important impetus for business connectivity, information exchange and enhancement of understanding of each other's market, contributing to improving people’s living standards, as well as economic stability and nation building and development in Argentina and Vietnam.

On this occasion, the top legislator of Vietnam invited Kirchner to visit Vietnam on a suitable occasion and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.

He also proposed Kirchner create conditions for young Argentinean parliamentarians to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to be held in Hanoi in September.

Source: VNA