Impetus for Vietnam-EU strategic partnership

The 2013-2016 funding will support policy research, technical assistance programmes and the organization of conferences, training courses and communication campaigns.

The EU- Vietnam Strategic Dialogue Facility aims to support Vietnam in realizing its five-year socio-economic development plans. To meet the goal, the EU and Vietnam will work together in different key areas mentioned in their Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in June 2012.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hopes the programme will offer central and local agency representatives an opportunity to update their understandings of Vietnam-EU relations, especially in the fields of trade, investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA), said MOFA Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son at a workshop launching the facility.

He asked them to propose areas of cooperation with reference to the 2012 PCA to foster relations between Vietnam and the EU, as well as with EU member states.

Son noted that the PCA created a new legal framework for developing Vietnam-EU relations towards an equal partnership and mutually beneficial, comprehensive cooperation.

While waiting for ratification, both sides agreed to early implement the agreement on a number of prioritised areas in the 2011-2012 period, and are preparing for the 2013-2014 period.

Son voiced Vietnam’s strong commitment to implementing the agreement, seeking further assistance from the EU and its member states.

Franz Jessen, EU Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, confirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU’s important partners, and development cooperation is crucial to bilateral relations.

Vietnam and the EU have already identified some prioritised areas of the PCA to be implemented over the years, he said, adding that the EU will consider ratifying the agreement to seize opportunities it presents.

The workshop examined reports from former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and EU, MOFA, and Ministry of Planning and Investment representatives on subjects like Vietnam-EU relations, bilateral trade and investment, potential difficulties and challenges, and the role of Vietnam-EU cooperation in Vietnam’s socio-economic development plan.

Trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU has grown impressively. Despite the international economic crisis, two-way trade reached US$29.9 billion last year, up nearly 20 percent compared to 2011.

EU member states are some of Vietnam’s leading foreign investors. As of March 2013, 22 out of 27 EU member states had 1,299 valid projects capitalised at over US$17 billion in Vietnam.