Vietnam wants to strengthen cooperation with the EU

• Bringing Vietnam-Belgium relations to a higher level

Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Sinh Hung was speaking at the ninth Vietnam-EU Inter-parliament meeting on December 5 during his official visit to Belgium.

The chief legislator highlighted the relations between the two sides, which has grown in all fields, especially politics, economics, trade, and development cooperation.

He said the meeting offers a good chance for Vietnamese NA deputies and members of the European Parliament (EP) to discuss issues of mutual concern, and promote mutual understanding and trust.

NA Chairman Hung said Vietnam has closely followed with keen interest the EU’s development and integration, especially since the Treaty of Lisbon took effect in December 2009. Such close integration has contributed to enhancing the important role of the European Union.

The ninth Vietnam-EU Inter-parliament meeting

Mr Hung spoke highly of the positive results of bilateral meetings and dialogues, as well as the exchange of delegations between Vietnam NA and the EP which, he said, have created an effective information channel for EP members to learn more about the real situation in Vietnam.

He described the effective cooperation between the Vietnam NA and the EP as an important pillar in the development of Vietnam-EU relations.

NA Chairman Hung briefed the EP on Vietnam’s political, social and economic achievements since the Renewal process started in 1986 as well as its law-making activities.

EP members in the delegation for relations with the Southeast Asian countries showed their interest in Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and congratulated the country on its achievements. They also expressed their willingness to help Vietnam boost economic and trade cooperation with the EU as well as enhancing ties between the Vietnam NA and the EP in law-making activities.

Langen Werner, chairman of the delegation for relations with the Southeast Asian countries, spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts to reduce poverty and pledged to help tighten ties with the Southeast Asian country.

As Vietnam’s large donor, the EU will join Vietnam in the struggle against poverty, he said.

Last year, Vietnam and the EU initialed an agreement on comprehensive partnership and cooperation (PCA), which is an important tool for promoting the dialogue between both sides to tackle global issues such as climate change.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and EP President Jerrzy Buzek

** On the same day, Mr Hung worked with EP President Jerrzy Buzek who lauded Vietnam’s active role in ASEAN. He expressed his hopes that the EU will effectively cooperate with ASEAN, particular with Vietnam, in dealing with global issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and non-proliferation of weapon of mass destruction, immigration, and energy security.

NA Chairman Hung said the Vietnam NA is very impressed by the increasing role of the EP and ready to discuss issues of mutual concern to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.

He thanked the EU for its assistance, saying Vietnam is expecting the Union to provide more Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans to its projects to reduce poverty, and gradually improve people’s living conditions.