On October 12, at the Government Office, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received EU Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation Julien Guerrier, along with ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of EU member states in Hanoi.
Assessing Vietnam EU relations, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said that over the 36 years since diplomatic relations were established, the two sides had continuously developed increasingly deep and practical cooperation.
Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU. The EU is now Vietnam's fourth largest trading partner, third largest export market and fifth largest import market. The prime minister said Vietnam always attaches great importance to relations with the EU and its member states, gives them high priority and wants to effectively implement the new framework of relations together.
Against the backdrop of a complex and changing situation in the world and the region, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides use their respective potential and advantages, strengthen coordination in responding to common challenges and deliver long term benefits. He also proposed continuing to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, increase exchanges of delegations and contacts at all levels, closely coordinate at multilateral forums, develop defense and security cooperation, and expand cooperation in new areas of strategic importance. These include science and technology, innovation, critical raw materials, strategic infrastructure, the energy transition, and the digital and green transitions.
The prime minister proposed strengthening cooperation in developing new energy sources, hydrogen and green ammonia production technologies, offshore wind power technology and the modernization of energy infrastructure. He also called for greater cooperation in developing strategic transport infrastructure, especially high speed railways, urban railways, seaports and aviation, as well as support for finance, technology and human resources training and encouragement for European businesses to invest in Vietnam.
The prime minister stressed the need to expand cooperation in education and training, increase academic exchanges and train highly qualified human resources through the ERASMUS programme. He also proposed that the EU continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in EU countries to integrate into host societies and maintain its role as a bridge between the two sides.
The prime minister asked the ambassadors to continue promoting effective implementation of the EVFTA, soon complete ratification of the EVIPA to further facilitate two way trade and investment, and support the European Commission's early removal of the IUU yellow card.
The prime minister welcomed the EU's recognition of Vietnam's efforts to improve its legal framework and strengthen tax cooperation. As a result, the EU removed Vietnam from its list of non cooperative tax jurisdictions. On issues where differences remain, the prime minister proposed that the two sides continue dialogue and use existing bilateral mechanisms so that they do not affect the comprehensive strategic partnership.
On behalf of the ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of EU member states, EU Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Julien Guerrier thanked the prime minister for receiving them and for the substantive exchange on directions for cooperation.
The ambassador described Vietnam EU relations as increasingly practical, trustworthy and dynamic. He stressed that Vietnam plays a very important role in the current complex international environment, so maintaining and strengthening stable and trustworthy cooperation with Vietnam is particularly important to the EU.
Ambassador Julien Guerrier said the two sides have major opportunities to expand cooperation in many areas. He said European businesses, with advanced technologies, high quality and solutions suited to Vietnam's development needs, want to increase cooperation and investment, especially in the green transition, supply chains, transport, strategic infrastructure, critical raw materials, science and technology, defense and security, and other areas of common interest. The ambassador confirmed that the EU wants to continue supporting Vietnam at its new stage of development.
The two sides agreed that their immediate priorities are to prepare well for high level diplomatic activities and accelerate the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership framework through practical programmes and projects with a long term vision. This should provide fresh momentum for Vietnam EU relations to develop more deeply and effectively in the period ahead.
Sources: Thanh Niên
