Vietnam – EU partnership developing extensively, says diplomat
VOV.VN - The partnership between Vietnam and the European Union has stood the test of time over the past more than three decades and is bearing fruits, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu at a commemorative ceremony of Europe Day in Hanoi on May 9 evening.
Vu said Europe Day is a special celebration that honours solidarity and determination to protect peace and prosperity – the values that are supported by countries, including Vietnam.
Taking shape 74 years ago, the EU today is one of the most successful organizations in the world, said the diplomat, adding EU countries play a pioneering role in advanced technology, education and training, sustainable development and response to climate change.
According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Vietnam – EU partnership has developed extensively and substantively over the years, as evidenced in economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and especially the support of EU countries for Vietnam during the COVID-19 period.
The EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), that replaced the 1995 Vietnam – EU Cooperation Agreement and took effect from October 1, 2016, serves as the legal basis for a new stage of development, with a broader scope of cooperation and at a deeper level.
Vu affirmed that the Vietnam – EU partnership is a model for peaceful cooperation which has more room to be further promoted moving forward.
Vietnam, a developing country in Southeast Asia and one of the EU’s close partners, clearly sees the value of cooperation with the bloc in many fields, he emphasized, noting the EU is currently Vietnam’s largest development partner, the fifth largest trading partner and the sixth largest foreign investor.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and the bloc’s 14th largest in the world.
To further strengthen cooperation between the two sides, Vu proposed that EU countries soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) alongside effectively implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to create a new breakthrough in trade - investment cooperation.
He also proposed that the EU provide development aid to Vietnam for the 2024 - 2027 period and soon remove the ‘yellow card’ against Vietnamese seafood exported to the bloc. He expected that the EU would continue to cooperate and support Vietnam in implementing the Resource Mobilization Plan (RMP) within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to achieve the net zero emissions target by 2050.
Vu voiced Vietnam’s support for the strong development of the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership, and expressed his belief that the EU would continue to make more practical contributions to the region.
At the ceremony, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier reviewed the EU’s major milestones since its establishment 74 years ago, and the bloc has succeeded in ensuring peace, prosperity and freedom for its citizens.
“Principles such as individual rights and freedoms, democratic governance, rule of law and a decent standard of living for all citizens are all deeply anchored in our society. We are “United in Diversity”, said the ambassador.
Talking about the Vietnam – EU partnership, Guerrier emphasized that over the past more than three decades, the EU has stood side by side with Vietnam to achieve many achievements, and it now wishes to support the Southeast Asian nation in achieving its development goal of becoming a developed economy by 2045 as well as meeting its net zero emissions commitment by 2050.
