Hanoi (VNA)🌳 – Chairman of the National AssemblyVuong Dinh Hue held talks with Speakerof the Senate of Uruguay Beatriz Argimon Cedeira and Speaker of the Chamber ofRepresentatives of Uruguay Sebastian Andujar following a welcome ceremony in Montevideo on April 27morning (local time).

The hosts affirmed that leaders of the parliament of Uruguay attach importance to Chairman Hue’s visit andbelieve that it will contribute to strengthening friendly cooperation between thetwo countries. Hue stressed that it is the highest-level visit by a Vietnameseleader to Uruguay since the two countries established diplomatic relations threedecades ago, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of theestablishment of bilateral diplomatic ties. The visit demonstrates Vietnam's attaching of importance to strengthening the relations with traditional friendly countries in Latin Americaand the desire to promote comprehensive cooperation with Uruguay across alllevels, fields and channels, contributing to reinforcing the Vietnam-Uruguaycooperative ties as a model in the South-South cooperation, he said. On the occasion, Huecongratulated Andujar on his election as the Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives of Uruguay. Speaking highly of Vietnam'sefforts in national construction and development with important achievementstoday, the hosts said Uruguayan leaders, regardless of political affiliation,are interested in and wish to develop ties with Vietnam. Hailing Vietnam asone of the dynamic developing countries with an important role and position inthe Asia-Pacific in the world, they said they believe that cooperation with Vietnam is agreat opportunity for Uruguay's regional and global integration process. They affirmed thatUruguay's opening of an embassy in Hanoi demonstrates the country'sdetermination and efforts to enhance bilateral relations for long-termdevelopment. As a member of theSouthern Common Market (MERCOSUR), Uruguay expects the bloc to continueexpanding multilateral and inter-regional cooperation, including with SoutheastAsia and Vietnam, they said. The top Vietnameselegislator congratulated Uruguay on its early control of the pandemic, economicdevelopment and social stability, becoming one of the best-governed countriesin Latin America. Lauding Uruguay'sposition and role in the South American region and international organisations,Hue said the potential and opportunities for bilateral collaboration remainhuge.   He suggested that inthe near future, the two countries work closely together to hold celebrations of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, facilitate the exchangeof all-level visits, effectively deploy bilateral cooperation mechanisms andstrengthen people-to-people exchanges.

NAChairman Hue expressed his joy at the continued developments in the economic –trade relations between the two countries and the room and potential forcooperation. In the time to come, the two sides should continue to push thetrade relations in the bilateral and multilateral frameworks so as to raisetwo-way trade revenue, he said, adding Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge forinvestment and trade activities between Uruguay and the Southeast Asiancountries.

Heasked Uruguay and members of the MERCOSUR to soon complete procedures of internalconsultation and announce the launch of the Vietnam – MERCOSUR free tradeagreement together with Vietnam at an early date.

The leaders of the Uruguay parliament stressed that thesigning of the cooperation agreement between the two sides manifests theattaching of importance by both the Senate and the House of Uruguay as well asthe political parties in the parliament of Uruguay to the strengthening of therelations and cooperation with Vietnam. They expressed their hope that the twosides will effectively implement the agreement, helping strengthen the mutual politicaltrust and understanding between the two countries. Along with the bilateral relationsbetween the parliamentary offices, the two countries can intensify cooperation,the exchange of information and coordination at regional and internationalmultilateral parliamentary forms.

NA Chairman Hue and the leaders of the Uruguay parliamentagreed that in the time to come, the two sides will continue strengtheningcontacts and the exchange of delegations to exchange experiences in law-buildingand perfecting the institution in service of the national development of eachcountry; bring into play the role of the law-making bodies in boostingbilateral relations; and support each other’s stance on regional andinternational issues of mutual concern.

🎐 Hue extended invitations to the two leaders to pay officialvisits to Vietnam at a suitable time, and asked the Uruguay parliament tocreate conditions for Uruguay young members of parliament to join the conferenceof the young MPs within the framework of the IPU to be held in Vietnam inSeptember./.