(VOVworld) – An official welcoming ceremony for Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner took place Monday morning Hanoi. Later on, talks were held between President Fernandez de Kirchner and her counterpart Truong Tan Sang, who valued the Vietnam-Argentinean ties. Two-way trade increased from 316 million USD in 2007 to more than 1 billion USD in 2012. Argentina has become Vietnam’s 27^th largest trade partner. Both sides have worked closely at international forums: the UN, Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) and the World Trade Organization. After the talks, both Presidents met with the media. President Sang said: "The President is accompanied by senior representatives of the Argentinean government and more than 200 leading companies. This shows Argentina's keen interests in boosting the substantial economic ties with Vietnam. The visit by the President not only brings about the friendly sentiments of the Argentinean country and people  but also creates opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries in economics, trade and investment in the near future."

Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

On the same day, the Argentinean President met with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung at separate receptions. PM Dung expressed his hope that both sides will boost cooperation in economics, trade, investment, agriculture, science, technology, culture and education. He said Vietnam welcomes Argentinean businesses to invest in the country. President  Fernandez de Kirchner said Argentina wants to deepen bilateral ties with Vietnam, especially in the processing of agricultural produce, energy and leather shoe production.

Receiving the Argentinean guest, National Assembly Chairman Hung said Vietnam and Argentina share similarities  despite their geographical distance and that the two peoples stood side by side during historical periods of struggles for national independence and freedom. Ms. Fernandez de Kirchner said she hope to receive NA Chairman Hung and the NA delegation in Argentina in the near future.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Argentinean Embassy co-hosted a Vietnam-Argentina business forum in Hanoi. About 200 Argentinean companies’ representatives attended the forum to seek trade and investment opportunities in Vietnam.