A meeting took place in the capital city Asuncion of Paraguay on August 3 to celebrate 20 years of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina and Paraguay Nguyen Dinh Thao expressed his pleasure at the strong relationship between the two countries over the past two decades and thanked the Paraguayan people for their support to Vietnam’s previous resistance against invaders as well as current national construction efforts.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo Mendez visited Vietnam in 2011.
Photo: VNA

He emphasised the growing bilateral economic cooperation with total trade hitting nearly USD 100 million, six times higher than that of 2010.

By the end of July this year, the figure reached USD 65 million, USD 35 million of which are Vietnam’s exports, he added.

Also at the event, Paraguayan Deputy Minister of External Relations Oscar Cabello Sarubbi highlighted historic similarities between the two nations and expressed his admiration for Vietnamese people’s heroic efforts in liberating the country. He also spoke highly of Vietnam’s role in the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The same day, the Vietnamese Ambassador had a meeting with Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga during which he affirmed that Vietnam is keen to promote a multifaceted relationship, especially in trade and culture, with Paraguay.

On the occasion, an exhibition on Vietnam’s photos and handicrafts opened at the Cabildo National Cultural Centre in Asuncion.

Source: VNA