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| At the talks (Photo: VGP) |
Vietnam is Argentina's third largest trading partner in Asia and a key partner in South-South cooperation, while Argentina is Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Latin America.
At the invitation of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina Santiago Andres Cafiero visited Vietnam from July 9-11.
At the talks held on July 11, the two sides informed each other about the situation of each country, exchanged and agreed on directions and measures to strengthen the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Argentina, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his joy and appreciation for Mr. Santiago Cafiero's first visit to Vietnam as Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina. The Minister affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the traditional friendship and the Vietnam-Argentina Comprehensive Partnership, and hopes that the cooperation will continue to develop in depth, on the basis of the potentials and strengths of the two sides.
He spoke highly of the two countries’ coordination and support at international organisations and multilateral forums, suggesting they step up collaboration at the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and South-South cooperation.
The minister said that as Argentina is holding the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), it should promote its cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to which Vietnam is a member.
Santiago Cafiero noted that the Argentine government hopes for stronger relations with Vietnam, and agreed that the two countries should maintain close coordination to consolidate and expand cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, for the sake of their people and to contribute to the settlement of global challenges, including food and energy crises, and climate change.
The ministers shared the view that the bilateral comprehensive partnership has been consolidated and strengthened, and the two sides have effectively maintained existing cooperation mechanisms, as well as in-person and online meetings at all levels amid COVID-19.
They reached a consensus on measures to deepen cooperation in a range of areas, from politics and diplomacy to economy, trade, agriculture, science-technology and culture-sports-tourism; and also concurred to expand the collaboration in other potential areas like oil and gas, renewable energy, space research and maintaining supply chains, especially in food and foodstuff.
The two sides will also effectively maintain political consultation at a deputy ministerial level, and the Vietnam-Argentina inter-governmental committee on cooperation in economy, trade and investment, while coordinating to organise activities marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (October 25, 1973).
After the talks, the ministers signed a cooperation agreement on fighting trans-national organised crime, and another on human trafficking prevention, control and investigation, and victim support and protection./.