Buenos Aires (VNA) – A delegation from the National Assembly (NA), led by Vu Hong Thanh, member of its Standing Committee and Chairman of its Economic Committee, visited Argentina and Chile from July 29 to August 4.

At a meeting on August 2 with the Vietnamese delegation, Luciana Termine, chairperson of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies’ committee for external relations and international cooperation, underscored the growing depth of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries at bilateral forums and international inter-parliamentary platforms, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-Argentina relations.

Expressing his wish to further enhance the bilateral relationship, particularly in parliamentary activities, Thanh considered Argentina a significant economic partner for Vietnam in Latin America and proposed accelerating negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

He affirmed that Vietnam and Argentina have significant potential for expanding cooperation in such fields as agriculture, industry, cultural and sport exchange, and education. He also proposed the establishment of a direct flight route between the sides to boost investment, trade, and tourism.

On the occasion, the National Congress of Argentina launched the Argentina-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, chaired by Santiago Pauli. In his speech at the launch, Pauli pledged to deepen cooperative relations with Vietnam, a leading trade partner of Argentina. He expressed his desire to establish a bilateral strategic partnership in the industrial and agricultural sectors in the near future.

During their stay in Argentina, the delegation laid a wreath at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at the Vietnam Park in Buenos Aires, and visited several business models in Buenos Aires province.

Earlier, as part of their trip to Chile, the delegation met with Karol Cariola, President of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies. At the meeting, Thanh and Cariola agreed to continue promoting cooperation between the two parliaments and their agencies. They emphasised the importance of exchanging delegations, sharing parliamentary experience, and creating a legal framework for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to continue leveraging the role of the legislative bodies, particularly their related friendship parliamentarians’ groups, in fostering bilateral relations, and maintaining close coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums.

Meanwhile, at a working session with the delegation, Maria Teresa Vial, President of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, affirmed her commitment to supporting Vietnamese enterprises in exploring trade opportunities with Chilean partners in various fields, particularly agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, and processing industries. It is also necessary to step up export-import activities to capitalise on benefits brought about by the Vietnam-Chile FTA, she noted.

T𝐆he delegation also laid a wreath at Ho Chi Minh Park in Cerro Navia district, Santiago de Chile./.