Deputy PM, EU high representative hold phone talks
(VOV) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton have discussed measures to boost Vietnam-EU ties, including the exchange of high-level delegations in future.
During a phone conversation on May 29, the two sides pledged their best efforts to soon finalize the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations before the 10th ASEM summit, and bolster closer coordination to ensure the success of the ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministerial Meeting this July in Brussels.
They also compared notes on international issues of mutual concern including the current situation in the East Sea. The EU official expressed her deep concern over China’s actions that could adversely affect regional security.
She suggested related parties should seek a peaceful solution in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adding that the EU urged concerned parties to ease tensions and avoid unilateral acts that could harm regional peace and security.