Deputy PM meets Spanish President of the Congress of Deputies

Meritxell Batet underscored that Spain always attaches importance and expects to boost the multi-faceted relations with Viet Nam as well as the EU-Viet Nam comprehensive partnership and cooperation, particularly when Spain will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU during the second half of 2023.

She spoke highly of the close coordination between the two nations' parliaments at the international and regional inter-parliamentary forums and welcomed proposal of Viet Nam in strengthening exchanges between their deputies.

The host acknowledged efforts of Viet Nam in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, affirming to urge the European Commission (EC) to early remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafoods.

For his part, Tran reiterated that Viet Nam treasures the relations with Spain and is determined to promoting the Viet Nam-Spain strategic partnership towards the future more intensively and substantively, contributing to sustainable economic development and recovery.

He thanked the Spanish Parliament for the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Both sides pledged to increase delegation exchanges at all channels, continue bolstering investment and trade ties as well as expand collaboration in other potential areas such as culture, sports, tourism, education-training, agriculture and coping with global issues including food security and climate change response.    

Regarding the East Sea issue, they voiced their support for ensuring security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation and addressing disputes via peaceful means in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.