This was affirmed at the eighth session of the Vietnam-EU Joint Committee, which was held in Brussels, Belgium on October 10 under the chairmanship of Cao Viet Sinh, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, and Viorel Isticioaia Budura, Managing Director for Asia in the new European External Action Service (EEAS).

During talks, EEAS briefed on the progress in EU’s policy, especially those related to economic management, while Vietnam informed the EU side of its 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan.

Discussions at the session were focused on measures to enhance bilateral cooperation by removing trade and investment barriers and how to fully tap the potential by approving a comprehensive free trade agreement for mutual benefits.

Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of anti-protectionism and the implementation of WTO commitments.

They reviewed the achievements made in the framework of the sub-committee on cooperation in institutional and administrative reforms, state management, and human rights issues, as well as emphasizing the importance of the Vietnam-EU human rights dialogue.

The two sides also agreed to boost cooperation in security, nuclear energy, chemistry, biology, climate change, postgraduate education, and prevention of infectious diseases. Additionally, a commitment was made to accelerate negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

In the framework of the session, both sides also discussed regional and multilateral issues. The EU pledged to work closely with Vietnam to boost integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).