EU supports Viet Nam's sustainable development goals: Ambassador
VGP - The European Union (EU) member states all desire to be friends of Viet Nam and wholeheartedly support the country's sustainable development goals, said Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier during his first meeting with the press since he took office in Ha Noi on September 27.
Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier. Photo: VNA
The European Union has adopted a strategy towards the Indo-Pacific region, in which Viet Nam has a critical position in terms of economy, population, and geographical location.
During his tenure, Julien Guerrier expressed his wish to support Viet Nam in its socio-economic recovery post-pandemic, contributing to realizing its ambitious goals of achieving high-income status by 2045 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
As Viet Nam is actively promoting research and innovation and applying sci-tech advances to its economy, the diplomat said the EU is eager to leverage its experience in research and innovation to assist Viet Nam in these efforts.
This support goes beyond ideas and expertise but also involves very concrete tools, namely the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into effect in recent years, the EU's Global Gateway funding mechanism with a capital of over €300 billion for countries worldwide, including Viet Nam.
Other tools include the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the EU mechanism to support Viet Nam through the G7 Group and other international partners; the research and innovation support fund, called Horizon Europe, with funding of more than US$100 billion; the "Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia" (ESIWA).
Regarding removing the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing warning against Vietnam's aquatic products, he said it is an essential topic under discussion between both sides for several years.
He commended Viet Nam's efforts to establish a legal framework for IUU. However, he said what is even more crucial is that the Vietnamese fishermen must rigorously follow these legal regulations.
Hoping the issue will be resolved promptly, he added that a delegation from the European Commission will visit Viet Nam in October to review the situation.
In terms of cultural and heritage exchanges, the diplomat said the Vietnamese people have welcomed the annual events promoting European literature, cinema and education. Viet Nam is an attractive destination for European travellers, and vice versa.
Regarding education, many Vietnamese students and graduates have chosen Europe for their studies over the past years. The EU offers the Erasmus Mundus, the most prominent master's and doctoral scholarship program in Europe, and many young Vietnamese have received these scholarships./.
