Vietnam, EU hold 4th Joint Committee meeting in Brussels

At the meeting, the two sides informed each other about the socio-economic situation and foreign policies, comprehensively evaluated Vietnam - EU cooperation, especially in cooperation frameworks such as the Defence - Security Dialogue, the enforcement of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement ( EVFTA), activities of specialized subcommittees in the Vietnam - EU Joint Committee.

Both sides assessed that Vietnam - EU relations have recently seen positive development, demonstrated through delegation exchanges, enhanced high-level contacts and trade - investment cooperation. Development cooperation, and defence - security, education - training,  climate change response were strongly promoted, while cooperation/dialogue mechanisms obtained positive results.

The EU hailed Vietnam's impressive achievements in socio-economic development and international integration.

To strengthen the partnership and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue to intensify the exchange of high-level delegations, boost closer coordination to fully and effectively deploy the EVFTA), and effectively promote existing cooperation/dialogue mechanisms.

They will further bolster cooperation across multile potential fields, especially trade - investment, development cooperation, green, digital and circular economy, modern and sustainable fishery development and strong transition to farming, clean energy transition, innovation, and infrastructure.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang asked the EU to prompt the Parliament of 10 of the 27 EU member countries  to soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment development, boster cooperation and support  Vietnam in developing its marine economy, including early removal of the IUU yellow card for the nation's seafood exports.

She also suggested the EU continue to cooperate and support Vietnam in carrying out sustainable development goals (SDG), especially financial support, technology transfer, human resource training within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and the International Partners Group, of which the EU is the coordinator.

Representatives of ministries and agencies attending the meeting also proposed many specific measures to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in the fields of trade - investment, finance, development cooperation, climate change response, logistics, agriculture, and defence - security.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that Vietnam supports strengthening the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership, with priority given to stepping up trade - investment cooperation, responding to global climate challenges, the environment, natural disasters, epidemics, contributing to green and sustainable development, and sub-regional development cooperation, including the Mekong sub-region.

Agreeing with the proposals of the Vietnamese side, the EU announced the priorities in the Cooperation Strategy with the Indo-Pacific region and the bloc's Global Gateway and expected Vietnam to participate in cooperation projects within the framework of these strategies.

The EU highlighted Vietnam as a very important partner of the bloc in the Asia-Pacific region and will continue to support Vietnam's sustainable development, serving as a model for EU cooperative relationships with other partners around the world.

The EU proposed that the two sides continue to boost cooperation in key areas of relations including politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, defence - security, climate change response, while expanding cooperation in new areas such as tax, biodiversity conservation, global plastic waste treatment, labor and illegal migration prevention.

Regarding international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides consented to promote multilateralism and the role of the United Nations. They affirmed that disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, with respect for international law and the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, while ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

One day earlier, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Helena Konig, Deputy Secretary General of the EEAS.