Vietnam advances parliamentary cooperation between ASEAN, Argentina

The Argentine Chamber of Deputies and the ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires (ACBA) co-organised a seminar on June 10 to promote cooperation between the Argentine parliament and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following an initiative by the Vietnamese Embassy, which currently chairs the ACBA.

The event gathered diplomats from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, along with Argentine lawmakers and officials from the Chamber of Deputies and ASEAN parliamentary friendship groups.

In her opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngo Minh Nguyet highlighted the significance of partnership between ASEAN and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) amid complexities of today's global landscape.

With a combined population of over 950 million, the two regional blocs share remarkable complementarities, with ASEAN excelling in manufacturing, technology, and services, while Mercosur leads in agriculture, energy, and natural resources.

Nguyet proposed a range of initiatives to boost cooperation, including regular inter-parliamentary exchanges, and the establishment of joint working groups to address issues related to climate change, food security, and digital transformation. She also underlined the importance of a potential free trade agreement between Mercosur and ASEAN.

The diplomats from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand also emphasised the role of ASEAN-Argentina solidarity in fostering stronger bilateral ties.

On the Argentine side, chairs of the parliamentary friendship groups with ASEAN nations expressed their commitments to facilitating dialogue and collaboration between the two regions.