This statement was made by Werner Langer, head of the EP delegation for relations with Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries, at a meeting with Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Pham Phuong Thao on March 17.

Mr Langen expressed his delight at the results of working with the Vietnam National Assembly and Government organizations. “The EU recognizes the importance of growing ties with Vietnam and believes that relations are developing well in many fields,” Mr Langen said.” A Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU will help to build stronger ties.”

Answering EU parliamentarians’ questions about the operation and role of people’s committees, Ms Thao said that local pay more attention to administrative reform, infrastructure development, improvement of the living conditions for the people. She provided information about the city’s development programmes and its effort to implement social welfare targets.” The city has millions of workers and its policies aim to create the best conditions for their lives,” she said. Ms That urged EU parliamentarians to help Vietnamese businesses access the EU markets fairly and with less difficulty.