A diplomatic delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son visited Chile from March 17-19 and conducted the sixth political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son

During the visit, Deputy Minister Son met with Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Maya Fernandez Allende, and paid a courtesy call to Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero Espinoza.

He also participated in a political consultation with Secretary General for Foreign Policy of the Foreign Ministry of Chile Patricio Torres. He then met Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yanez; President of the Chile-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group Karol Cariola; head of the Chile-Vietnam Culture Institute Patricia Abrajua; and other Chilean officials.

On the occasion, he laid flowers at President Ho Chi Minh’s statue in Santiago de Chile.

At the meetings, the two sides shared their delight at the growing Vietnam-Chile partnership in all fields.

Two-way trade in 2018 exceeded 1 billion USD, double that of 2014 when the Vietnam-Chile free trade agreement took effect.

The Chilean side expressed admiration for Vietnam’s achievements as well as the rising prestige of the country, saying Chile considers Vietnam as an important partner in Asia-Pacific.

To mark the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971-2021), the two sides agreed to increase high-level delegation exchanges and maintain political consultation to facilitate bilateral ties.

The two sides reviewed the implementation of cooperation frameworks and agreements and agreed to coordinate to promote negotiations for several new deals to complete the legal framework for bilateral affiliation.

Both sides also discussed measures to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, investment and promising areas such as agriculture, aquatic farming, agricultural and aquatic product processing, climate change response, startups, innovation, training, tourism, and sports.

They will continue holding meetings of the Vietnam-Chile free trade council, while working closely during the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). They stressed the need to strengthen collaboration between the two parliaments and increase diplomatic activities.

Vietnam and Chile agreed to continue supporting each other within the frameworks of the United Nations, the World Trade Organisations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, while fostering the partnership between the ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance.

The two countries shared their similar stance supporting the settlement of international disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law.-VNA