During a reception given to the outgoing head of the European Commission (EC) delegation in Vietnam, Markus Cornaro, in Hanoi on May 28, PM Dung highlighted the EC Ambassador’s contributions to the development of Vietnam-EU relations.

In particular, the PM praised the Ambassador's efforts in aiding Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organisation and the implementation of the Vietnam-EU master plan, while serving his 2003-2007 term.

Speaking at the reception, the outgoing diplomat said EU-Vietnam relations have become stronger and the EC is eager to enter into negotiations for the agreement that would benefit not only the EU and Vietnam but also the EU-ASEAN free trade market.

The EU has already pledged a 30-percent increase in its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in health care and poverty reduction among other fields from now until 2013, as a sign of the importance the EU places on its relations with Vietnam, Mr Cornaro said. In 2006, the EC granted US$936 million in ODA to Vietnam.

On May 25, Cornaro was awarded the insignia “For Public Health”, for his contributions to the development of the country’s health sector.