(VOVWORLD) - Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri is on an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong. This is Mr. Macri’s first visit to Vietnam as Argentina’s President.
 Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (left) and President of Argentina Mauricio Macri inpsect the guard of honour. (Photo: VNA) |
Close, reliable relationship, expanded economic cooperation
Argentina with Cuba and Chile was one of 3 Latin-American countries that established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973. Bilateral friendship and cooperation have strengthened over the past 45 years.
The two countries have exchanged high-level delegations, established mechanisms, and signed agreements to boost multi-faceted cooperation, encourage investment, and use nuclear power only for peaceful purposes.
Vietnam and Argentina support each other at multi-lateral forums including the UN, the WTO, the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation, and South-South Cooperation within the UN framework.
The two countries have co-organized the Inter-governmental Cooperation Committee mid-term meeting and the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam-Argentina Culture Institute. The Argentina Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Group has been re-established.
Together with good political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been expanded and laid a foundation for long-lasting relations.
Vietnam is an important partner of Argentina, particularly in economics and trade. Bilateral trade increased steadily over the past decade, from 316 million USD in 2007 to 3 billion USD in 2018. Argentina is Vietnam’s 2nd biggest trade partner in Latin-America. Vietnam is Argentina’s 5th largest importer.
During an official visit to Vietnam in July, 2018, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie discussed the export of fruits between the two countries and Vietnamese rice to Argentina.
Cooperation in education and culture has flourished with many exchanges between universities and art troupes. Every year, Vietnam welcomes approximately 10,000 Argentinean tourists. On October 24, 2018, the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina, the authorities of Santa Fe province, and the Asian House co-organized a Cultural and Tourism Week in Buenos Aires.
Vietnam, Argentina comprehensive partnership
The visit by Argentina’s President to Vietnam will enhance investment and trade cooperation between the two countries and deepen their comprehensive partnership.
President Macri will hold talks with Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and meet with leaders of the Government and National Assembly. He will also attend a Vietnam-Argentina Business Forum to map out business strategies.