EC acknowledges Vietnam’s IUU recommendation implementation
VOV.VN - The European Commission appreciates Vietnam implementing its recommendations on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and it expects to address the issue soon, said EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28 World Climate Change Action Summit on December 1, she said Vietnam is the European Union’s important partner.
She welcomed close cooperation between the EU and Vietnam, especially in implementing the political declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (EJTP).
The EC president also acknowledged Vietnam’s request regarding the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
PM Pham Minh Chinh for his part affirmed that Vietnam always values the comprehensive cooperation partnership with the European Union. He expressed hope that the EU and its member countries would increase support for Vietnam in terms of finance, technology, and human resource training to climate change response and energy transition within the JETP framework.
The PM requested that the EC soon consider removing the IUU ‘yellow card’ warnings against Vietnam's seafood exports, taking into account the country’s determination and efforts in seriously implementing the EC’s recommendations on sustainable fisheries development.
He respectfully conveyed the invitation to EC President von der Leyen to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vo Van Thuong.
The same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Hungarian President Katalin Novak who hailed Vietnam’s increasing position globally.
Novak said she expects to visit Vietnam and looks forward to receiving PM Chinh on a visit to Hungary in 2024.
The president appreciated the Vietnamese community’s contributions to the local society and affirmed that Hungary would maintain scholarships for Vietnamese students studying in the country.
PM Pham Minh Chinh requested that Vietnam and Hungary further promote bilateral cooperation, especially in economy - trade - investment, as well as in market opening to fully tap into their potential.
He asked Hungary to encourage the remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement. He also asked Hungary to lobby the EC to soon remove the IUU ‘yellow card; warnings against Vietnamese seafood, and actively support ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue.
The two sides agreed to increase visit exchanges, local cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges in the coming time.
Meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, PM Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the development of the Vietnam - Indonesia Strategic Partnership in the context of the two countries’ 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023. He also congratulated Indonesia on successfully assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship role in 2023.
Widodo affirmed that Indonesia always values the strategic partnership with Vietnam. He also thanked Vietnam for actively supporting Indonesia during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023.
The two sides agreed to closely coordinate positions in ASEAN and international forums, including those on climate change response and energy transition.
At another meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, PM Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam values multi-faceted cooperation with Finland, an important partner of Vietnam in North Europe.
President Sauli Niinisto meanwhile said Finland considers Vietnam a potential partner in Southeast Asia. He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to strengthen cooperation, especially in the fields of green transition, renewable energy and climate change response.
The two leaders agreed to promote Vietnam – Finland trade and investment cooperation by making full use of opportunities from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
