Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Quoc Thanh (second, from left) and delegates at the event. (Photo: VNA) Buenos Aires (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina on December 22 organised anevent to promote Vietnamese culture and cuisine, wrapping up a series ofactivities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment ofdiplomatic relations between Vietnam and Argentina.
The event saw theparticipation of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, theMERCOSUR-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce (MACC), ambassadors of ASEAN countries,Japan, Uruguay and the Republic of Korea, the Argentine Council ofInternational Relations (CARI) and the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute(ICAV).
Speaking at the event,Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Duong Quoc Thanh emphasised that 2023 is apivotal year in cooperation, solidarity, and friendship between Vietnam and Argentina as the two countries celebrate 50-year diplomaticrelations (October 25, 1973 - 2023) and 13 years of theComprehensive Partnership. Many meaningful and diverse political activitieshave been organised, especially the visit of National Assembly Chairman VuongDinh Hue to Argentina in April.
According to the ambassador, cultural diplomacy is a bridge that brings people closer together,and Vietnamese cuisine has been very popular with Argentinian friends foryears, such as spring rolls. Besides, economic diplomacy is one ofthe important pillars of the relationship between the two countries, especiallyin the context that Vietnam and Argentina wish to launch negotiations on a freetrade agreement (FTA) with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).
Speaking to VietnamNews Agency, Rodolfo Caffaro Kramer, Global President of MACC, said he will head a business delegation to Vietnam next October and is making efforts topromote FTA negotiations between MERCOSUR, of which Argentina is a foundingmember, and Vietnam.
He emphasised that economic and trade cooperation are important pillars in bilateral relations. In 2022, Vietnam was Argentina's 6th largest trading partner and 5th largest export market in the world, and a key partner inArgentina's South-South cooperation in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Argentina was Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Latin America. However, these positionsare still modest compared to the two countries' potential, so that Argentinais very interested in an FTA between MERCOSUR and Vietnam, he said.
Trade between Vietnamand Argentina is complementary. Argentina is willing to diversify products tomeet Vietnam's needs and vice versa, Vietnam has many high-quality productssuch as technology, textiles, and footwear, all of which are familiar productsin the South American market. In the first ten months of this year, tradeturnover between the two countries reached about 3 billion USD.
On this occasion,Argentinian friends were treated to Vietnamese cuisine at GreenBamboo Restaurant, a familiar address of South American diners and tourists who love Vietnamese dishes for the past 24 years./.
