Buenos Aires (VNA) - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina Cecilia Moreau in Buenos Aires on April 24 morning (local time).

At the talks, held right after the welcomeceremony for the Vietnamese leader, Cecilia Moreau affirmed that thevisit is extremely important in further strengthening the multifaceted cooperationbetween Vietnam and Argentina in general and the relationship between the twolegislative bodies in particular, especially on the occasion of the 50thanniversary of bilateral ties diplomatic relations (October 25, 1973 - 2023).

She said she admires President Ho Chi Minh, the heroic country and people ofVietnam in the past struggle for independence and freedom, and is impressedwith the current socio-economic development of the country.

Highlighting the fine relationship between the two countries,especially in politics, economy, culture, parliament, and people-to-peopleexchange, she expressed her belief that the visit will contribute to deepeningthe Vietnam-Argentina comprehensive partnership as well as the parliamentaryrelations between the two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

NA Chairman Hue congratulated CeciliaMoreau on being elected as President of theChamber of Deputies of Argentina on March 1, 2023 and expressed hisdelight at the recent establishment of the Argentina-Vietnam FriendshipParliamentary Group.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing relations withArgentina, one of its leading partners in Latin America, and expressed his wishthat the two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges and coordinationin order to further develop the traditional friendship and cooperation betweenthe two countries in a substantive, effective and intensive manner.

The two sides held that over the past time the Vietnam-ArgentinaComprehensive Partnership has developed positively, substantively andeffectively in many fields, from politics-diplomacy, economy and trade, to education,agriculture and justice.

The nations have maintained delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; and effectivelypromoted cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-governmental Committee andthe political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Both leaders showed their pleasure with the increasing two-way trade turnover, reachingmore than 4.8 billion USD in 2022, which continues to be a bright spot in thebilateral relationship. Argentina is currently the third largest tradingpartner of Vietnam in Latin America while Vietnam is Argentina’s 5th largestimportant export market in Asia. The two sides have always cooperated and supported each other at internationalforums and organizations.

During the talks, the two sides agreed topromote the exchange of visits on all channels; coordinate in organisingmeaningful activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic relations; effectively implement cooperation agreements and promotecollaboration in agriculture, economy-trade, science-technology, education,tourism, sports and culture. At the same time, they will expand cooperation innew fields such as high-tech industry, digital transformation, innovation,climate change response, and sustainable growth; and strengthen cooperationbetween localities, thus pushing the comprehensive implementation of theVietnam-Argentina cooperation, towards the establishment of a StrategicPartnership in agriculture, industry and energy.

Hue proposed Argentina speed up the early completion of theinternal consultation process between member countries of the Southern CommonMarket (MERCOSUR) to together with Vietnam, announce the start of negotiationson a MERCOSUR-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He suggested the Latin Americancountry create favourable conditions for Vietnam's key agricultural products toenter the Argentinean market, thereby balancing the bilateral trade in a longand sustainable way.

The leaders agreed that the twoparliaments should work together to promote, encourage and create favourableconditions for activities of the two countries’ businesses, including openingthe market for their key agricultural products, supporting enterprises toaccess each other's markets to carry out business and investment activities, thuscontributing to economic development for each country’s nation building anddevelopment cause. They should also promote the role of the legislative body inbuilding and strengthening of a legal corridor to facilitate the implementationof bilateral cooperation activities in a stable and long-term manner.

Both host and guest appreciated the positive development of thetwo parliaments’ relationship, reflected through regular exchanges and supportfor each other's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed to continuestrengthening cooperation in exchanging experience in lawmaking, supervisionand decision-making on important issues; promoting coordination at multilateralforums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); and supporting each other'sstance on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Vietnamese top legislator showed his hope that the Congressof the Argentine Nation will send a delegation to attend the 9th GlobalConference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by the Vietnamese NA in September.He also took the occasion to invite Cecilia Moreau to visit Vietnam at anappropriate time.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders signed a cooperation agreement betweenthe two legislatures.

On the same day, NA Chairman Hue and theVietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the monument to José de San Martín, the nationalhero of South American countries, in Buenos Aires.

Earlier on April 23 afternoon (local time), they paid a floraltribute at the monument to President Ho Chi Minh in the capital city ofArgentina./.