EU expects to soon upgrade relations with Vietnam
VOV.VN - The European Union and Vietnam should upgrade their relations soon, laying the foundation for deeper, more substantive, and effective cooperation across all fields in the coming time.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal during her meeting with General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam in New York on September 24 on the sidelines of the general debate of the 79th UN General Assembly.
She highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, and affirmed that Vietnam is one of the key partners of the EU in implementing its strategy for cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region.
To Lam for his part congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on her reelection as President of the European Commission for the 2024-2029 term, and thanked the European Commission for its support and encouragement to the Vietnamese people in overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.
He emphasized the need for both sides to increase visit exchanges and effectively utilize existing cooperation/dialogue mechanisms. He welcomed the EU’s active role in the Asia-Pacific region and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to promote EU cooperation with other countries in the region through the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership framework.
To Lam appreciated the outcomes of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) after nearly four years of implementation, which he said has created a new impetus for bilateral trade. The enforcement of the EVFTA has positioned Vietnam as the largest trading partner of the EU in ASEAN, while the EU has become Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner. EU investments in Vietnam have also risen considerably, with the EU currently the fifth-largest investor in the Southeast Asian state.
The Vietnamese leader suggested that both sides continue to effectively implement the EVFTA, prioritizing the removal of barriers to market access for goods, including the prompt lifting of the yellow card imposed by the European Commission and ongoing support for Vietnam in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Among other things, he proposed that both sides enhance cooperation in defense, security, and combating transnational organized crime, particularly high-tech crime. He encouraged the EU to further increase cooperation and support Vietnam in environmental protection and climate change adaptation, and as well as in improving governance capabilities, and developing a green and circular economy.
Vietnam is in dire need of capital, technology and quality human resources to fulfil the net-zero commitment by 2050, effectively implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) commitment, and adapt to new EU regulations on environmental sustainability, said the Vietnamese leader.
Acknowledging To Lam’s proposals, Von der Leyen affirmed that the EU will closely coordinate with Vietnam to effectively implement existing agreements and exchange mechanisms to ramp up cooperation in key areas such as politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, defense-security, development cooperation, education-training, innovation, and cultural exchanges.
She pledged to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam to address global challenges, enhance support for Vietnam in environmental protection and climate change adaptation, effectively implement the JETP deal, and cooperate within the framework of the Global Gateway Initiative.
With regard to the East Sea issue, both sides agreed on the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as reinforcing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
