President Fernando Lugo made the statement while receiving Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Van Dao in capital Asuncion recently.

He noted with satisfaction the strong development of relations between Paraguay and Vietnam in recent times. He recalled his visit to Vietnam last year where he saw with his own eye the country’s steady growth despite the impact of the global financial and economic slowdown.

Ambassador Dao reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening ties with Latin American countries, including Paraguay.

He conveyed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s invitation to President Lugo to send a delegation to a Vietnam-Latin America trade and investment ministerial forum to be held in capital Hanoi this year.

The organisation of the forum shows Vietnam’s determination to promote trade and investment ties with Latin America, said Dao.

He reviewed Vietnam’s major economic development achievements and proposed that Paraguay recognise the country’s market economy status to foster bilateral trade ties.

President Lugo said Paraguay will send a delegation to the forum and consider Vietnam’s proposal soon.

Ambassador Dao also held a working session with Foreign Minister Jorge Lara.