Vietnam and Uruguay have reaffirmed their traditional friendship and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, diplomacy and regional affairs. Both sides also discussed stronger business, parliamentary and people-to-people ties.
Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its traditional friendship with Uruguay, with both countries seeking to expand bilateral cooperation and inter-regional engagement.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung made the remarks while receiving Uruguayan Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi Cabrera in Hanoi on August 17. Cabrera was visiting Vietnam from August 16 to 18 as part of efforts to advance cooperation between the two countries.
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Trung highlighted Uruguay's role and contributions to regional and international affairs and expressed satisfaction with the progress in bilateral relations. He noted improvements in high-level exchanges, cooperation mechanisms and mutual support at multilateral forums. Bilateral trade has also grown rapidly, although Vietnam believes the current level remains below its potential.
Vietnam called for greater coordination in preparing high-level delegation exchanges and strengthening links between government agencies, legislative bodies and political organisations. The two sides were also encouraged to improve information sharing and strengthen connections between their business communities.
A key focus was the potential for Vietnam and Uruguay to serve as bridges between Southeast Asia and Latin America. Vietnam proposed greater coordination through regional organisations, including ASEAN, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).
Cabrera said Uruguay attaches particular importance to strengthening its strategic-level relationship with Vietnam amid a complex global environment. She expressed support for Vietnam's proposals and said Uruguay was ready to take practical steps towards upgrading bilateral relations.
The Uruguayan delegation also called for stronger links between the two countries' parliaments, businesses and trade-promotion agencies. Cooperation in combating transnational crime was another area discussed, alongside opportunities in culture, sports and football.
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During her visit, Cabrera held talks with Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang on cooperation covering politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, multilateral affairs, culture, education, tourism and sports. She also met representatives from Vietnam's public security, industry and trade, and agriculture and environment ministries, as well as Vietnamese businesses.
The latest discussions underline efforts by Vietnam and Uruguay to broaden their relationship beyond political ties and develop more practical economic and institutional cooperation. Strengthening business connectivity and using their respective regional networks could provide new opportunities for trade and investment.
The engagement also reflects both countries' interest in closer coordination on international and regional issues, while building stronger connections between their institutions and people.