Buenos Aires (VNA) – Marcelo Rodríguez, head of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Argentina (CPA), has lauded Vietnam’s steadfast adherence to a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, contributing to global peace, stability, and cooperation development.

Rodríguez told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter that Vietnam has increasingly a prominent regional role and substantial contributions to building multilateralism and settlement of challenges in the region and the world. He highlighted the country's diplomatic achievements in 2024, including the establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with Australia, France, and Malaysia, as well as Comprehensive Partnerships with Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rodríguez, who is also Director of the Héctor P. Agosti Marxist Studies and Training Centre (CEFMA) in Argentina, held that beyond external achievements, Vietnam has been a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, boasting huge potential to develop trade with Latin America, including Argentina.

Despite profound impacts on the world economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has stood out as a rapidly recovering nation, with its economy forecast to achieve an impressive growth rate of over 6.8% in 2024 and 7% in 2025.

The official particularly commended Vietnam's progress in export performance, tourism sector, foreign direct investment attraction, and technological revolution. He also acknowledged the Vietnamese Government's ongoing anti-corruption efforts and social welfare initiatives like such as minimum wage increases, inflation control, and support policies for the impoverished.

Regarding Vietnam – Argentina relations, Rodríguez laid stress on the significance of the diplomatic ties spanning over 50 years. The upgrade of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2010 has contributed to strengthening the relations between the two countries. This year, both nations have continued robust exchange activities, highlighted by a visit by a high-level delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam in August, led by member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia.

According to the official, together with the sound political – diplomatic relations, the two countries have enjoyed robust economic – trade cooperation, becoming a foundation for their time-honoured ties. Vietnam is currently the third largest trading partner of Argentina in Asia – Pacific, just behind China and India, and the 8th biggest in the world. Argentina has exported agricultural products, animal feed, and corn to Vietnam, while importing electronics, textiles, and footwear from the Southeast Asian country./.