President Jose Mugica said that Uruguay always attaches importance to promoting the ties of friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam in Asia policy.
Ninh considered Uruguay’s recognition of Vietnam’s full market economic status as demonstration of solidarity and support for Vietnam’s integration process.
During talks, Ninh and Astori briefed each other on the current situation in each country and reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation. They agreed that the two countries have great potential for strengthening cooperation, especially in economics, trade, and investment, agriculture, communications, education-training, science-technology, culture and sports.
The two leaders exchanged measures to boost bilateral ties in the coming period through the regular exchange of visits, and effective implementation of political consultation mechanisms for establishing a joint committee on economics, trade and investment within the framework of the newly-signed agreements.
They agreed to increased coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, such as at the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation, for the benefit of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and the rest of the world.
During his visit, Ninh witnessed the signing of two important documents, a framework agreement on trade and investment and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
On the occasion, the Uruguay Foreign Minister handed over to him a protocol recognizing Vietnam as a full market economy.
On December 9, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam and Deputy Minister of Finance Do Hoang Anh Tuan met with Uruguay businesses to introduce investment and trade opportunities in Vietnam.
Two-way trade turnover between the two countries have increased significantly in recent years, hitting a record high of US$68.06 million in 2012, of which Vietnam’s exports and imports were valued at US$24.1 million and US$44.05 million, respectively.
Vietnam mainly exports footwear, clothes, cotton, seafood, engineering machinery and equipment, electronics, rubber, leather, packed fruits, plastics, toys, agricultural machines, timber products, ceramics and handicrafts while imports seeds, wood, cereals, milk and dairy products, eggs, honey, beef, animal by-products, pharmaceuticals, wool and chemicals.
