Despite their enormous geographical distance Vietnam and Chile have many things in common that help to bring them closer together. Vietnam’s glorious victories during its past struggle against foreign invaders for national unification were highlighted during the opening talks between President Triet and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria and the leader of the Chilean Parliament, Judiciary and business community. On the other side of the globe, together with Cuba, Chile has always given active support for the revolutionary cause of Vietnam.

President Triet said that in the summer of 1969, senator Salvador Allende visited Vietnam and was welcomed by the late President Ho Chi Minh. He was the last foreign guest to meet with President Ho. In March 1971, one year after Salvador Allende was elected as Chilean President, Chile established diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Since then, the two countries and peoples have always supported each other in their struggles for peace and development.

While presenting President Triet with certificate of honourary citizenship, the Mayor of Santiago, Pablo Zalaquette, praised the constant efforts made by Mr Triet himself and the entire Vietnamese people in their request for national construction and defence.

Mr Zalaquette told the Vietnamese State leader, “Though in the opposition to President Bachelet I highlight Vietnam’s achievements and its relationship with Chile. Vietnam has gained many significant achievements in its renewal process. The country has opened up its door to the world and has recorded a high economic growth rate to rank second in Asia, just behind China. There is no doubt about Vietnam’s renewal policies over the past 20 years, which have enable the country to take large steps towards development, successfully integrate into the global economy and maintain social and political stability.”

The friendship between Vietnam and Chilean fostered during times of hardship has continued to flourish and bring the two countries closer together during the current process of national construction and development. Two years ago, Vietnam and Chile issued a high-level joint statement on strengthening their “comprehensive partnership”. Chile is one of the countries, which strongly supported Vietnam in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It was also the first country to recognise Vietnam as a market economy.

Currently, Vietnam and Chile are actively negotiating the signing of a Free Trade Agreement. During talks with State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said that Chile will offer Vietnam a preferential deal so that the FTA can be signed early next year. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Doan Xuan Hung said that with positive results from several rounds of negotiations, both countries aim to sign the FTA early next year before Ms Bachelet ends her term.

Ms Bachelet said that she will be glad to visit Hanoi once again to sign the agreement. Vietnames-Chilean two-way trade reaches around US$200 million each year and is expected to rise to US$600-700 after the signing of the FTA.

Chilean wine is very well-known, especially to Vietnamese people. During talks with President Bachelet, State President Triet talked a lot about this kind of wine. Ms Bachelet said more and more Vietnamese people drink Chilean wine but there is not a Vietnamese restaurant in Santiago to let Chilean people try Vietnam’s delicious food. In her opinion it is nice to enjoy Chilean wine with Vietnamese food. Therefore, both countries should strengthen cultural and culinary exchanges so that the people of both countries can learn more about each other.