HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has assured Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Jorge Faurie that Việt Nam will always consider Argentina an important partner in Latin America. 

During a reception in Hà Nội on Tuesday, the PM hailed the visit for opening up a new chapter in bilateral co-operation and yielding successful outcomes of talks between the two foreign ministries. 

He called for boosting bilateral trade and investment as the current two-way trade of US$3 billion per year remains modest. 

As Việt Nam currently holds a trade deficit with Argentina, the host suggested organising business forums to seek new opportunities. 

Expressing his warm welcome for the upcoming visit to Việt Nam by Argentine President Mauricio Macri, the PM said he hoped to boost collaboration with the Latin American country in football. 

He wished that the upcoming meeting of the Việt Nam-Argentina Inter-Governmental Committee would be successful, raising two-way trade, and accelerating the signing of several important bilateral co-operation agreements. 

Faurie, for his part, said Argentine President Mauricio Macri looks forward to visiting Việt Nam and also welcoming the Vietnamese PM to the country. 

Satisfied with the achievements of bilateral ties in diverse fields over the past 45 years, especially in politics and economics with regular high-level visits, he said both sides could work to expand their cooperative areas. 

According to the Minister, the working agenda between the two nations will be busy in the near future. In September, Argentina will welcome a Vietnamese business delegation to the country, where a Việt Nam-Argentina Inter-Governmental Committee meeting will also be held. 

Briefing the host about the outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, Faurie said they outlined new co-operation areas, including in national defence. 

He also expressed eagerness to assist Việt Nam in football training and development.

The same day, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairman Đỗ Bá Tỵ received Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Jorge Faurie.

Tỵ said that the Vietnamese NA wants and is willing to co-operate with the Argentine Senate and Chamber of Deputies in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

Việt Nam always considers Argentina its leading partner in the Latin American region, and hopes the two sides will intensify their strategic partnership, particularly in economics, trade and investment.

He spoke highly of the strengthened friendship between the two legislative bodies, welcoming the establishment of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies’ Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group with Việt Nam on July 5. 

The official suggested both sides increase delegation exchanges, intensify collaboration and experience sharing in law making and enforcement and create favourable conditions for their businesses to co-operate in order to gradually balance two-way trade. 

Fraurie, in turn, expressed his delight at visiting Việt Nam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. 

He said he hopes his visit offers a chance to promote trade ties, including setting up joint ventures to produce goods, especially bio-products, for export to third countries. 

Argentina is willing to share its experiences with Việt Nam in the fight against human and drug trafficking, he affirmed. — VNS