Meeting marks Vietnam - Chile diplomatic relations

Hanoi (VNA) – A meeting was held in Hanoi on April 12 to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Chile diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971 -2016).

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc stressed the event is a significant milestone in the two countries’ overall relations. He also reviewed the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Chile over the past 45 years.

He hoped the ties will continue flourishing for both countrys’ interests, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and in the world

Meanwhile, Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Claudio Quintana lauded the remarkable development of Vietnam in recent years together with its proactive integration and collaboration with many countries, including Chile.

Along with 10 other countries, Chile and Vietnam signed the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) agreement which is expected to create new opportunities for trading goods, generating value chains and opening new markets, he added.

The Ambassador said that Chile shares many mutual goals with Vietnamese people, and wished that the Southeast Asian country will continue to obtain fruitful achievements in its development process.

The Vietnam-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effective from January 1, 2014, helping boost bilateral trade turnover by 70 percent, reaching nearly one billion USD in 2015.

Vietnam and Chile will have more opportunities to cooperate in numerous fields such as economy, energy, agriculture, telecommunication and national defense under the umbrella of the TPP, of which the two countries are members.-VNA