Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s high-rankingNational Assembly delegation had a meeting with members of the Foreign AffairsCommittees of the Senate and the House of Representatives of Uruguay in Montevideoon April 27 (local time), as part of the official visit to the Latin Americannation by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

At the hybrid meeting, Chairmen of the committee Ubaldo Pascual Aita Maidana and Gustavo Penadésshared the view that the Vietnamese delegation’s visit demonstrates the attentionof the Southeast Asian nation towards Uruguay.

Uruguay’s opening its embassy in Vietnam reflectsits wish to tighten cooperation with Vietnam, they continued, noting that as amember of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), Uruguay has set up cooperativeties with countries worldwide, including Vietnam.

Maidana said he always keeps a close watch on thesituation in Vietnam and spoke highly of the country’s contributions to the developmentin Asia. He noted that Uruguay wishes to enhance cooperation with Vietnam inpolitics and economy.

The two countries have signed many cooperationagreements, the official continued, expressing his hope for stronger cooperation inculture and sports, including football.

Maidana expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s achievementsand prosperity he witnessed during his trip to the country for the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) in 2015, and his wish thatthe bilateral cooperation will benefit the two peoples.

In his online remarks, Penadés stressed that alongwith the relationship between Uruguay and Asia, the ties between Uruguay andVietnam are developing fruitfully.

Chairman of the Vietnamese NA’s Foreign AffairsCommittee Vu Hai Ha told the hosts that the visit aims to strengthen therelations between the two countries and their legislatures, and exchangeprofessional experience.

He congratulated Uruguay on its successful controlof the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its achievements in socio-economic development, andaffirmed that Vietnam always wishes to foster its economic and trade ties withUruguay, along with the cooperation between the two countries’ legislatures, bothbilaterally and multilaterally.

Deputy Minister ofIndustry and Trade Do Thang Hai informed the participants of cooperationoutcomes and orientations between the two countries, with bilateral tradegrowing 106.5% last year and Vietnam’s import up 157.2%.

He, however, pointed out that the trade revenue of190.5 million USD has yet to match potential of both sides.

According to the official, the minutes of themeeting of the Joint Committee for Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperationof Vietnam and Uruguay which took place on April 14 will be signed during thevisit, covering cooperation in trade and agriculture.

A memorandum of understanding between thedirectorates of fisheries of the two countries is also expected to be signed inthe time ahead, he said, adding that the two sides have proposed new cooperationareas such as food safety, customs, science-technology, software, woodexploitation and processing, renewable energy and innovation./.