EC Vice President hails Viet Nam's pledge for carbon neutrality by 2050
VGP – Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans spoke highly of Viet Nam's groundbreaking pledge for carbon neutrality by 2050 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh shakes hands with Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans, Government Office, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, February 18, 2022. Photo: VGP
During his talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, Timmermans said Viet Nam enjoys huge potential for clean and renewable energy development.
He also highly valued Viet Nam's efforts in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, informing that the European Union (EU) will send experts to examine and come to conclusion on this issue.
The EU attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam and expects to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam in realizing commitments at the COP26, affirmed Timmermans.
Meanwhile, Le called on the EC to push ahead with the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to further promote bilateral economic cooperation.
Le asked the EU to soon remove "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports and help the Southeast Asian country to improve its capacity in fishery management, provide technical assistance to carry out measures to prevent IUU.
Regarding cooperation in energy and environment, Deputy PM Le reaffirmed Viet Nam's strong resolve to adapt to climate change, adding that the country will adopt a roadmap to significantly reduce dependence on coal, advance climate-resilient infrastructure and energy transition in accordance with its commitments at the COP26.
He called on the EU to cooperate with Viet Nam in implementing projects in energy transition, clean transport, forest protection, technology transfer while helping the country to access financial and technological resources in order to realize commitments and initiatives on emission reduction and climate change adaptation.
During his three-day visit, Timmermans will also pay courtesy call on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and have bilateral meetings with Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.
