Argentina keen for co-operation

President Truong Tan Sang and President of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner inspect the guard of honour yesterday in Ha Noi during her four-day visit to Viet Nam starting on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang

HA NOI (VNS)— Argentina wishes to increase comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam, particularly in processing, energy, manufacturing, tannery and leather footwear production.

The statement was made by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during separate talks with leaders of the Vietnamese Government and National Assembly in Ha Noi yesterday.

During her meeting with President Truong Tan Sang, both sides agreed to plan celebrations to mark the 40th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

They also discussed furthering cooperation in agriculture, technology, energy, telecommunications and culture, in addition to working in multilateral areas such as the World Trade Organisation and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America

Meeting with Prime Minister She expressed her delight with the developing ties between the two countries and said she hoped the host would create favourable conditions for Argentinean enterprises to invest in Viet Nam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, for his part, suggested Viet Nam and Argentina strengthen political and diplomatic relations and support each other at regional and international forums, especially within the United Nations.

He went on to say that the two countries should foster cooperation in economics, trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education and increase two-way trade beyond the current level of US$1 billion.

"Viet Nam welcomes investment from Argentinean businesses," Dung said. He also appreciated Argentina's assistance to Viet Nam during the country's struggle for independence in the past, as well as in its current course of construction and development.

During the Argentine leader's four-day visit, she also met with Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung. Hung told his guest that Viet Nam's National Assembly wished to develop bilateral parliamentary relations with other countries, including Argentina.

Hung also assured her that the NA would make every effort to develop the two countries' ties to benefit their people and bring about peace and prosperity across the world. — VNS