The Vietnamese embassy in Argentina hosted a get-together with members of the Argentina-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group (AVPFG) on August 20.

The AVPFG was established by the House of Representatives of Argentina in the context of important developments in relations between the two countries in recent years.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Thai Van Lung described the establishment of the group as a new step in bilateral ties and an important tool in promoting them.

The diplomat expressed his hope the group would further expand its operations and help strengthen the growing friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people and their legislative bodies.

The President of the organisation, Julia Argentina Perie, stated that her group will work to contribute to consolidating friendship and promoting cultural exchange and trade between the two countries.

According to the Argentinean Customs Office, total annual Argentina-Vietnam trade hit a record high of 399.79 million USD in 2008. But this year, trade activities skyrocketed, surpassing last year’s total in just the first half of 2009.

The House of Representatives of Argentina has established 28 parliamentary friendship groups, including nine groups with Asia . It plans to set up six more groups with countries on the continent.

Ha Van Hien, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee and President of the Vietnam-Latin America Parliamentary Friendship Group, send a congratulatory message to the AVPFG on its establishment./.