Vietnam and Argentina hold the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee

On October 24 (local time), the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina was held online in Buenos Aires and Hanoi.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang. Photo: VNA

According to a VNA reporter in Buenos Aires, the meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang and Argentine Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs , International Trade and Religious Affairs Fernando Brun. Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Ngo Minh Nguyet and Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam Marcos Antonio Bednarski also attended the meeting.

The two sides reviewed the results achieved in the cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Argentina in recent times, and emphasized the impressive growth in trade exchange between the two countries over the past decade, especially in the fields of agriculture and industry.

The two sides highly appreciated Argentina's opening of the Office of the Attaché for Industry and Agriculture in Vietnam in early July, marking a new step forward in bilateral cooperation. This is one of six offices specializing in industry and agriculture of Argentina located abroad, demonstrating the strategic importance of Vietnam to Argentina.

Argentina is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Latin America, while Vietnam is Argentina's sixth largest trading partner in the world. In 2024, trade turnover between Vietnam and Argentina will reach 4.1 billion USD, up 19% compared to 2023. The structure of import and export goods between the two countries is highly complementary.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang emphasized that despite being geographically distant, Vietnam and Argentina have a foundation of good traditional relations and the attractiveness of each market. Argentina, as an active member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), will be the gateway for Vietnamese goods to penetrate the South American market. Meanwhile, Vietnam will always be a solid bridge for Argentina to enter the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market area, as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang proposed that in order to promote trade and investment turnover as well as extensive and comprehensive cooperation in all fields, relevant agencies of the two countries need to increase dialogue, information exchange, promote delegation exchanges at all levels, trade and investment promotion activities, scientific and technical cooperation, as well as cultural exchanges.

For his part, Deputy Minister Fernando Brun highly appreciated Argentina and Vietnam for holding the meeting on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 52nd anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (October 25, 1973) and the 15th anniversary of establishing comprehensive partnership (2010), and affirmed that Argentina is a reliable, stable and potential trade partner of Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Fernando Brun announced at the Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) on September 16 that, in the spirit of diversifying trade alliances, member countries of the bloc emphasized the priority of dialogue with Vietnam, aiming to deepen economic and trade relations. Deputy Minister Fernando Brun also expressed Argentina's support for the launch of trade negotiations between Mercosur and Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang suggested that Argentina, at Mercosur's joint forums, continue to support the early launch of negotiations on a trade agreement between Vietnam and Mercosur, affirming that the signing of this agreement will be an important basis for both sides to promote existing advantages; create growth momentum for bilateral trade relations and contribute to shaping strategic economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Mercosur.

Within the framework of the meeting, the two sides agreed with the Technical Group's recommendation on promoting the signing of cooperation agreements in the fields of agriculture, finance, transportation, science and technology, creating an open legal framework for cooperation activities, as well as promoting research to expand cooperation space in information technology, space science, application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, agriculture and animal husbandry.

At the end of the meeting, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang and Deputy Minister Fernando Brun signed the Minutes of the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade and scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-va-argentina-to-chuc-ky-hop-lan-thu-viii-uy-ban-lien-chinh-phu-20251025055759880.htm