Paraguay wants to further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam , especially in economics, trade and investment, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo has said.

President Fernando Lugo showed keen interests in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam at his recent reception for Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Van Dao in Asuncion capital.

He expressed his pleasure at strong developments in thee relation between Paraguay and Vietnam in recent times and impressions on Vietnam ’s steady growth despite the impact of the global financial and economic slowdown.

Ambassador Dao reiterated Vietnam ’s consistent policy of strengthening ties with Latin American countries, including Paraguay .

He passed onto President Lugo a letter from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung inviting Paraguay to attend a Vietnam-Latin America trade and investment ministerial forum, which is scheduled for Hanoi this year.

The organisation of the forum shows Vietnam ’s determination to promote trade and investment ties with Latin America , said Dao.

Dao also asked the Paraguayan side to soon recognise Vietnam ’s market economy status, which, he said, can help deepen the two countries’ relations.

During his trip to Paraguay, Ambassador Dao held a working session with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Jorge Lara on measures to step up bilateral ties.-VNA