Buenos Aires (VNA) - Some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have become important trade partners of theSouthern Common Market (Mercosur), and Vietnam is a typical example, anArgentinian expert has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, EzequielRamoneda, Coordinator of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CESEA) at the Institute of International Relations of the National University of La Plata of Argentina, said traderelations between Mercosur and ASEAN have enjoyed the great progress over thelast 15 years.

Over recent years, Vietnam has emerged as an important trade partner of not only Argentina but also the entire Mercosur, which heattributed to Vietnam’s dynamic integration into the world as well as effortsto expand its export markets in Mercosur and Argentina.

Ramoneda, who is also a member of the Mercosur - ASEAN Chamberof Commerce (MACC), held that with its crucial geographical location in EastAsia and the Asia-Pacific, Vietnam will serve as an important gateway for Argentinaand other Mercosur members, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Uruguay,to enter Southeast Asian markets.
         
Though Vietnam’s trade turnover with Mercosur in general and Argentina in particular has grown considerablyin the recent past, there remains much cooperation potential, and it isnecessary to diversify exports and imports. The South American trade bloc needsmore information about strong products of Vietnam besides farm produce,especially industrial products, and vice versa, he continued.

The expert also confirmedthat MACC is planning to organise a business delegation to Vietnam in thelatter half of this year to foster economic, trade, and investmentpartnerships.

Trade between Vietnam andArgentina reached 3.45 billion USD in 2023. Vietnam is currently the sixthlargest trade partner of Argentina, which in turn ranks third among trade partners of Vietnam in Latin America, statistics show.

About political relations, he underlined theimportance of maintaining traditional cooperation between Vietnam and Mercosurcountries. In 2023, Vietnam respectively celebrated the 50th and 30th anniversaries of its diplomatic ties with Argentina and Uruguay with the visitsto these countries by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. This year, itis marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 17 yearsof the comprehensive partnership with Brazil.

He perceived that the twosides are now in the prime of political dialogue, aside from effective tradeties, so it is necessary to enhance the connectivity between Vietnam and Mercosur,as well as the relations between Mercosur and ASEAN.

Withregard to initiatives within the Forum for East Asia - Latin AmericaCooperation (FEALAC), Ramoneda, who is also Vice Chairman of the Argentina -Vietnam Culture Institute, spoke highly of Vietnam’s proposal on establishing a network of cities of culture and its appeal for promoting FEALAC’s activitiesafter the COVID-19 pandemic.

He voiced hishope that an Argentina - Vietnam friendship association will be set up in thenear future./.