Argentinean Vice President Julio Cobos has commended Vietnam over its economic achievements over the past two decades with its international integration, renewal process and open policy.

At a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Dao on August 18 in Buenos Aires, Vice President Cobos, who is also President of the Argentinean Senate, emphasised the importance of expanding all-round cooperation between both countries, particularly in their two legislative bodies.

He expressed a keen interest in Vietnam’s culture, traditions, customs and cuisine.

Ambassador Dao spoke of Vietnam ’s achievements in national construction, defence, social stability and human development.

He expressed his delight at the impressive growth in bilateral trade, from less than 20 million USD in 1999 to 650 million USD last year.

Despite the immense geographical distance and cultural and historical differences, Vietnam and Argentina have recorded a lot of progress in politics, diplomacy, culture and economics and other fields.

The relationship between both countries resulted in Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visiting Buenos Aires in April. Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez is expected to visit Hanoi in November this year./.