NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo, April 27, 2023.

Meeting with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo on Thursday, Mr. Hue asked Uruguay to support and promote the early completion of the internal consultation process among Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) members so as to start negotiations on the Vietnam-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement, toward further expanding bilateral trade to be commensurate with the good political relations between the two countries.

President Pou said he hopes Uruguay and Vietnam will continue the exchange of delegations between ministries and sectors and people-to-people exchanges, to deepen bilateral ties.

He said Uruguay is ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnam and ASEAN to access MERCOSUR, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, facilitating the business and investment activities of both sides. 

President Pou expressed his hope that Vietnam will open an embassy in Montevideo soon, and support Uruguay’s joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the candidacy of Uruguay and the three MERCOSUR members to co-host the World Cup in 2030.