NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with Argentine President Mauricio Macri (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam considers Argentina its most important partner in Latin America and hopes to further consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership, particularly in economics, trade, and investment, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has affirmed.
Welcoming visiting Argentine President Mauricio Macri in Hanoi on February 20, Chairwoman Ngan said that Vietnam has not forgotten and indeed treasures the support of the Argentine people during its past struggle for national liberation.
The Chairwoman showed her delight at the positive development of the bilateral relations over the years. Political ties have been intensified through regular delegation exchanges and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of international events, she said, adding that two-way trade has increased rapidly, doubling in value over five years to reach 2.9 billion USD in 2018.
President Macri confirmed that Argentina wants to strengthen its cooperation with Vietnam, which is currently its fifth largest trade partner in the world and the second in Asia.
Informing the host of the positive outcomes of his talks with Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, President Macri voiced his hope that with the backing of the Vietnamese legislature, both sides will be able to further exchange trade and investment ties, and the relationship between the two legislative bodies will be tightened so as to deepen Argentina-Vietnam relations.
He affirmed his support for the stance of solving disputes related to sovereignty and territory through peaceful negotiations and in accordance with international law.
In turn, the Vietnamese top legislator suggested both sides step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, and maintain and increase the efficiency of such cooperation mechanisms as the Inter-Governmental Committee and political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level.
The solid political relationship will act as a foundation to develop economic, trade, and investment ties, she noted.
The Chairwoman took the occasion to thank Argentina for backing Vietnam’s candidacy to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
In the evening, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife hosted a banquet to welcome the Argentine President and his spouse.–VNA
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