Vietnam ready to serve as bridge helping EU connect with Southeast Asia
VOV.VN - Vietnam stands ready to serve as a bridge helping the EU to connect with Southeast Asia, while also wishing to closely co-ordinate in implementing the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership, as well as dealing with regional and global issues.
This statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at a working session held on October 26 with Josep Borrell, vice president of the European Commission (EC) and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum organised by the EU.
Deputy PM Ha hailed the initiative and congratulated the EU on successfully organising the Global Gateway Forum which is viewed as a framework for developed and developing countries to co-operate and complement each other to reach sustainable development goals.
He emphasized that the Vietnamese policy is to promote and deepen the partnership and comprehensive co-operation framework between the country and the EU.
He therefore proposed that the two sides fully and effectively implement existing collaboration mechanisms in order to deepen the trade investment pillar through the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and other countries.
The Vietnamese Deputy PM said he hopes that EU member states will swiftly ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the EC will soon remove the IUU yellow card, while also expanding co-operation in potential fields such as climate change response, energy transition, especially through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework.
In response, Borrell congratulated Vietnam on its success in the process of innovation and development in all aspects, while also affirming that the nation is an important partner of the EU in the region. He went on to applaud the comprehensive development of mutual relations, especially in economics and trade, with the EVFTA being effectively exploited, thereby helping bilateral trade turnover soar by 20% in 2022.
Borrell outlined that there remains plenty of room to build closer ties, including in the energy field; whilst agreeing to strengthen comprehensive linkages between the two sides, especially the full and effective implementation of the EVFTA Agreement and other cooperation frameworks.
The EC will consider soon removing the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) yellow card for Vietnamese seafood exports, as well as closely co-ordinating in the process of resolving regional and global issues, for peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region and the world, Borrell said, adding that the commission has pledged to support Vietnam within the JETP framework towards a just energy transition and sustainable development.
Regarding IUU, the EC official positively noted Vietnamese efforts in recent times, requested that the nation closely co-ordinate and fully implement the EC's recommendations, making it possible for the yellow card to be removed soon.
The two sides also shared views on international and regional issues and consented to maintain peace, stability, freedom, aviation, and maritime safety, as well as resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
At a meeting held with Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, on the same day, Deputy PM Ha highly appreciated the EU's role and contribution to the process of stepping up global climate change response efforts, especially the policy to provide financial aid to support developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and responding to the impact of climate change.
He affirmed that the nation is determined and remains proactive in implementing commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), suggesting that the EU continue to boost close co-ordination to soon complete the planed mobilisiation of resources for JETP implementation.
The EU Climate Commissioner asked Vietnam to support EU initiatives at COP28, including the global commitment on renewable energy and energy efficiency, while affirming that the EU always accompanies the Vietnamese side in green transformation.
Within the framework of the Forum, Deputy PM Ha met with Francois Michel, CEO of John Cockerill Group of Belgium, to discuss the implementation of investment projects in the Vietnamese market.
At the meeting, Deputy PM Ha welcomed John Cockerill Group's long-term investment commitment in the nation in a very important field- green hydrogen energy and noted his appreciation for John Cockerill’s urgent implementation of the Group’s investment projects.
He asked the group to enhance close co-ordination with Vietnamese ministries during the project implementation process.
