Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son holds phone call with EC Vice President
VGP - Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son on Tuesday had a phone call with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son (center) at the
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in Viet Nam–EU relations over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, particularly in the fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment. These developments have laid a solid foundation for the two sides to further elevate the partnership to a new level.
The two officials agreed that the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), after nearly five years of implementation, has provided strong momentum for bilateral trade.
To further advance bilateral relations in the coming time, Bui suggested the two side spur high-level exchanges and visits, continue the effective implementation of the EVFTA, and strengthen trade and investment cooperation—especially in the context of current global trade challenges.
He also called on the European Commission to soon lift its "yellow card" warning on Viet Nam's seafood exports, taking into account the country's efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the differences in development levels between the two sides, the interests of EU consumers, and the livelihoods of Vietnamese fishermen.
On this occasion, Deputy PM Son also urged the EU to accelerate the ratification of the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create a breakthrough in bilateral trade and investment. He further encouraged the EU to support and promote European businesses' investment in key Vietnamese projects, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energy, green transition, and digital transformation.
Regarding the EU's ongoing anti-dumping investigation into hot-rolled steel products imported from Viet Nam, he called on the EU to ensure that the final conclusions would continue to reflect the objectivity demonstrated in the preliminary findings.
Kaja Kallas emphasized that Viet Nam is one of the EU's key partners in the Asia-Pacific region and expressed a strong aspiration to elevate the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.
She acknowledged Viet Nam's concerns and assured that the investigation is underway in line with the EU's legal framework and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Kallas also agreed with the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals on strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially by maximizing the benefits of the EVFTA.
On regional and global issues, Deputy Prime Minister Pham emphasized that Viet Nam is a responsible member of the international community, actively contributing to peace, stability, security, and development in the region and the world.
Both sides agreed that conflicts and disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law./.
