PM asks EC to soon remove “yellow card” against IUU fishing in Vietnam

Vietnam continues to view the EU as one of the most important partners in its foreign policy, the Vietnamese cabinet leader told his guest.

The EU makes up the country’s fourth largest trade partner, while Vietnam is the bloc’s biggest trade partner in the ASEAN, with the EU also being the sixth largest investor in Vietnam.

PM Chinh hailed the EU’s consideration of climate change adaptation as one of the three focuses of co-operation with Vietnam for the 2021 to 2027 period, thanking the EU for its EUR210 million, equal to US$222.55 million, in non-refundable aid to Vietnam in the 2021 to 2024 period.

He therefore suggested that the EU speed up the implementation of its free trade agreement with the Vietnamese side, the European Union–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), whilst striving to create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to enter the market, especially agricultural and aquatic products, with the ultimate aim of lifting two-way trade to US$100 billion in the near future.

The nation pledges to further facilitating the operations of EU enterprises, he said, adding that EU firms should be incentivized to invest in the country in areas such as digital transformation, energy transformation, sustainable development, climate change response, high technology, and logistics infrastructure, in which they boast plenty of strengths.  

The PM called on Dombrovskis, who is also the EU's Trade Commissioner, to urge remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

In response, Dombrovskis applauded Vietnamese development and co-operation potential, saying that joint relations are thriving, especially after the signing of the EVFTA.

Vietnam and the EU share sustainable development goals, particularly in terms of the green economy and circular economy, he said, reiterating the nation’s commitments to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, as well as participating in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The EU and its member countries regard Vietnam to be a leading important partner in the region and the world, with a keen desire to further promote relations with it across spheres as mentioned by the PM, he emphasized.

Hailing Vietnamese contributions as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council, and other international organizations, Dombrovski expressed his hope that the Vietnam side will play a more active role in global affairs, for the causes of peace, stability, co-operation, and development.

The Vietnamese Government chief used the occasion to ask that the EU co-operate and provide consultation for Vietnam in its green economy, circular economy, and climate change response, as well as accelerating financial support for the country within the JETP.

The PM said he hopes that the EU will step up co-operation within the framework of ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), while assuring his guest on Vietnam’s readiness to serve as a bridge between the EU and other ASEAN member states. This will allow both sides to seize upon opportunities and resolve common challenges, especially those regarding environment and climate change, green transition, digital transformation, infrastructure connection, and capacity building for the health system.

The two sides shared ASEAN’s views on ensuring safety, security, and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea. In addition, they focused on the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well as pushing ahead with negotiations and building of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for the causes of peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region and the wider world.