Hanoi (VNA) – Over the past five decades, Vietnam and Argentina have achieved numerous accomplishments in key areas with respect to bilateral ties, emerging as a shining example of South-South cooperation.

The year 2023 marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship🀅 as the two countries are celebrating 50 years of nurturing their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

Notably, the Argentina visit by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in late April generated important momentum for the future development of bilateral relations. On October 25, 1973, Argentina became one of the first three Latin American countries, behind Cuba and Chile, to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Over the past five decades, the amicable and cooperative ties have grown. Vietnam places high value on its relationship with Argentina, one of its foremost strategic partners in the Latin America, and seeks to enhance the comprehensive partnership with the country. Looking back on the past five decades, the Vietnam-Argentina relationship has achieved numerous milestones in 13 key areas, notably politics, diplomacy, trade, culture, education and science at the bilateral, global and regional levels. With a solid foundation of historical ties, cultural similarities and economic links, the Vietnam-Argentina ties have been growing robustly across the board. 

Despite the geographical distance, Vietnam and Argentina share common values and ideals. During an event celebrating the 50^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, National Assembly Chairman Hue said: “Our President Ho Chi Minh was unwavering in his belief that nothing is more precious than independence and freedom… and🎃 we would rather sacrifice everything than lose our nation, rather die than become slaves. Meanwhile, General José de San Martín, the national hero of Argentina and South America, called on everybody to fight for freedome and rather die than become slaves.”

“This was a historic convergence of ideals and actions, driven by beautiful truths that our two countries seem to have agreed upon in advance,” the leader said. Hue said he believes that these sacred values, similarities and emotional bonds are invaluable assets, serving as a natural organic adhesive and a powerful catalyst to propel bilateral ties into a new era of development.

50 years of political ties characterised by friendship, solidarity, trust

Vietnam highly values and remembers the solidarity and support from the people of Argentina during its past struggle for national liberation. Vietnam and Argentina opened embassies in each other's capital during the 1990s and elevated their relationship to a comprehensive partnership in 2010. At present, both countries are exploring the possibility of establishing bilateral strategic partnership in various fields. In the past half-century, Argentina saw three of its Presidents make official visits to Vietnam, namely Carlos Menem in February 1997, Cristina Fernandez in January 2013, and Mauricio Macri in February 2019. On the Vietnamese side, notable visits were made by President Tran Duc Luong in November 2004, NA Chairman Nguyen Van An in March 2006, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in April 2014, NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu in July 2012, NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in July 2014, NA Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty in July 2018, and, most recently, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in April 2023. Both countries already established a variety of mechanisms and cooperation/consultation frameworks, along with the signing of multiple agreements, thus laying the foundation to step up bilateral comprehensive cooperation. Effective cooperation mechanisms include the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation and political consultations between the foreign ministries. Both countries are leveraging the roles of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, such as the Inter-Governmental Committee and political consultations at the deputy ministerial level between the two foreign ministries. Vietnam and Argentina have also established several mechanisms and signed important agreements to boost cooperation in areas of strength and set up friendship parliamentarian groups which will serve as an essential mechanism to further enhance legislative ties. Multilateral cooperation between the two countries at international forums and organisations have become increasingly close. They have consulted and supported each other at international bodies such as the United Nations, the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and more. During the recent visit by Chairman Hue, a series of cooperation agreements were signed, thus further strengthening the robust foundation for bilateral comprehensive partnership and contributing to fine-tuning long-term legal framework to ensure that bilateral ties thrive in the near future. Additionally, the cooperation agreement reached between the Vietnamese NA and the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina during the visit represented a significant step forward in bilateral parliamentary cooperation. It established a mechanism for dialogue and information exchange, as well as sharing legislative experience in areas of mutual interest.

Room for economic-trade ties remains

Since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2010, ties between Vietnam and Argentina have made impressive progress, with economic and trade sector becoming a standout feature of this partnership. Two-way trade has steadily increased year on year, from 378 million USD in 2007 to 4.88 billion USD in 2022. Vietnam ranked as the sixth largest trade partner, the fifth largest importer and a key partner in South-South cooperation of Argentina. Meanwhile, Argentina was Vietnam's third largest trade partner in Latin America. Both countries already signed a number of agreements and cooperation frameworks to serve as a basis to promote bilateral comprehensive partnership.

Particularly, Argentina is one of Vietnam's leading suppliers of corn and animal feed. In terms of investment, Argentina now has five projects in Vietnam, ranking 122^nd out of the 140 countries and territories investing in the country. Vietnam has opened its market to various Argentine products, in🤡cluding beef, lemon and grapefruit, and is considering the import of orange, tangerine and pork from the Latin American country.

Trade and investment promotion activities have been actively stepped up, with Vietnam sending two business delegations to Argentina in 2017 and 2018. Argentina, in turn, has sent many delegations, including one comprising more than 20 companies to attend the 2022 Vietnam FoodExpo. Effective cooperation has been carried out in various technical projects in agriculture, anthropology and forensic medicine, and science and technolgy. These efforts aim to establish comprehensive collaboration in mutual fields of strength and demand. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Co-Chairman of the Vietnam-Argentina Inter-Governmental Committee Do Thang Hai said Argentina is Vietnam's comprehensive partner in Latin America. Two-way trade was nearly 5 billion in 2022, a substantial increase from just over 300 million USD 15 years ago. There is still ample room to increase trade turnover. During the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee, both sides discussed various aspects of this, including expanding into areas of their strength, such as agriculture, as well as diversifying into other fields like industry, innovation, and biotechnology. Vietnam and Argentina hold potential to become strategic transit points for goods and hubs for investment connecting both regions and the world. Argentina, as an active member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), serves as a gateway for Vietnamese products to penetrate the South American market. Meanwhile, Vietnam is a reliable gateway for Argentina to access the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific markets. According to Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Affairs Vu Hai Ha, the visit by the top Vietnamese legislator in April reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to elevating economic, trade and investment ties with Argentina to a greater height, thus diversifying Vietnam's market presence. The two nations agreed to actively explore opening up their markets for each other's goods with the aim of achieving a sustainable trade balance. They are also keen on considering the possibility of initiating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR. The effective and regular use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as Inter-Governmental Committee and political consultation will contribute to building a balanced and sustainable trade relationship. Alongside the positive political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade, and investment ties between Vietnam and Argentina are growing, forming a foundation for their long-lasting relationship. During Chairman Hue’s visit in April, the leaders of both countries vowed to roll out bilateral coordination across the board, toward establishing a strategic partnership framework in the fields of industry, agriculture and energy. The future of the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina, as envisioned in the statement by Chairman Hue, is built on the joint efforts of both nations. Hue said by maintaining solidarity, the strong will of the two nations will overcome obstacles and propel them into the future. There is a solid foundation to believe that both countries and both regions will cooperate in the spirit of solidarity, the teamwork of football, and the harmonious rhythm of the legendary Tango dance. All of this will be built upon the invaluable historical foundation, writing new and increasingly beautiful chapters of Vietnam-Argentinian relations in the next 10 and 50 years in the book of the world./.