Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his hope that the partnership and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU will be deepened in a more pragmatic and effective manner in the time ahead. The Deputy PM and FM attributed the close collaboration between the two sides to the success of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the EU in early December. The host noted his delight at the fruitful developments in the Vietnam-EU relations, especially the signing of a joint statement declaring the end of negotiations of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
He expressed his appreciation for the EU’s regard to Vietnam as a prioritised partner in its development cooperation policy, as well as the union’s support for the country’s poverty reduction, socio-economic development and international integration. The EU’s assistance has helped the Southeast Asian nation reap a host of achievements in realising the UN Millennium Development Goals, he said.
The Deputy PM and FM called for the Ambassador’s efforts to urge the EU to ratify the Vietnam- EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in 2016, aid Vietnam in actualising the document, sign the EVFTA at an early date and recognise Vietnam’s market economy status at the same time when the agreement takes effect. He suggested the EU assisting the two sides’ businesses in taking advantage of opportunities afforded by the EVFTA and coordinating with Vietnam in deploying joint development cooperation projects.
For his part, Ambassador Bruno Angelet voiced his hope for closer cooperation with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The EU increasingly treasures Vietnam in its foreign policy and wishes that the country, with its position and role in the region, will back the EU in increasing its presence in Asia-Pacific and enhancing relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said.
FM Minh asked the ambassador to lobby for the EU’s ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with VN in 2016, early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status. He also called on the EU to support businesses in making the most of the EVFTA.
Ambassador Angelet in turn said the EU’s foreign policy highly values Vietnam and wants the country to help it increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific region as well as promote its cooperation with ASEAN. He pledged the best efforts to deepen the Vietnam-EU relationship, thus delivering practical benefits to the two nations. The diplomat pledged to spare no effort to deepen the Vietnam-EU relationship, thus bringing pragmatic benefits for the two sides’ people.
