Santiago (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong met President of the Chilean Senate José Garcia Ruminot in Santiago on November 11 morning (local time) as part of the Vietnamese leader’s ongoing official visit to Chile.

José Garcia stressed the importance of Cuong’s visit, affirming that it is expected to deepen and advance the comprehensive partnership between the two countries on State, parliament, and people-to-people diplomacy channels.

The Vietnamese leader rejoiced at his first official visit to Chile and congratulated the South American country on its great socio-economic achievements over the past decades, helping raise its reputation and position in the region and the world at large.

He affirmed the importance Vietnam attaches to developing its friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Latin American nations, with Chile playing a crucial position.

Vietnam always bears in mind the valuable support of the Chilean people during its past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as the present cause of national development, Cuong said, noting through this visit, Vietnam wishes to promote the comprehensive partnership, making it more intensive, substantive, and effective, towards elevating the relationship to a higher level in the time ahead.

José García said in recent times, the Vietnam-Chile relations in general and the parliamentary ties in particular have continued to grow strongly, substantively, and effectively across various areas, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, security-defence, investment, education, agriculture, and justice. Notably, both sides have maintained regular high-level delegation exchanges and contacts.

He expressed his delight at the growth in bilateral trade, which continues to be a highlight in their relationship, reaching over 1.3 billion USD in the first nine months of this year. Chile remains Vietnam’s fourth-largest trade partner in Latin America, while Vietnam is a major trade partner of Chile within the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN).

Cuong affirmed that strengthening parliamentary relations is one of the important pillars of the two countries' diplomacy, contributing to promoting the Vietnam - Chile bilateral relationship in general as well as establishing and implementing a favourable legal corridor between the two countries in particular. He expressed his support for the two legislatures to continue strengthen cooperation by increasing exchanges between their Parliamentary Friendship Groups as well as the exchange of delegations at all levels, and promoting coordination at forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.

The State President suggested that the two parliaments enhance cooperation, promote their role in supporting the ratification of initiatives, agreements, and cooperation pacts signed between the governments, ministries, and localities of the two nations to complete the bilateral collaboration framework, contributing to further consolidating and advancing the comprehensive partnership.

On this occasion, Cuong conveyed an invitation from Chairman of th🥃e National Assembly Tran Thanh Man to the Chilean Senate leader to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time./.