DPM receives EC Vice President

Le leader thanked Borrell Fontelles for travelling to Viet Nam to attend the funeral of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, saying the move represents the importance the EU attaches to the deceased’s contributions to Viet Nam - EU relations.

The EU said the Deputy Prime Minister is one of the leading partners of Viet Nam. With joint efforts, the bilateral ties are developing well, from traditional fields like politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, and development cooperation to new areas, including defense - security and climate change response, within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

So far, the EU remains the top provider of non-refundable aid, the fourth largest trading partner, and the fifth biggest investor in Viet Nam, which in turn ranks first among ASEAN trading partners of the EU.

The two sides have also worked actively together in such areas as defense - security, justice, labor, agriculture, science - technology, and environment to reap many practical results. Among them, a highlight is the cooperation in climate change response.

He suggested the two sides effectively inplement the EU – Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the EU – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as other cooperation deals and mechanisms on the threshold of the 35th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister also called on the EU to promote its remaining member countries’ ratification of the EU – Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the EC’s early removal of the “yellow card” warning against Viet Nam’s seafood exports on the basis of the country’s efforts and achievements in the combat against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In reply, Borrell Fontelles highly valued Viet Nam’s development achievements along with growing role and position in the region and at multilateral forums.

The EU regards Viet Nam as a priority and important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, he said, adding that it hopes the two sides will elevate the bilateral relations and enhance connections in defense - security, climate change response, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) implementation, justice, and the fight against IUU fishing.

The Deputy PM suggested the EU maintain the provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam in the fields of public governance capacity building, green transition, digital transformation, sustainable fishery development, financial and technological support, and manpower training to help the country effectively carry out the JETP.

The two leaders discussed some international issues of shared concern. They agreed that conflicts must be resolved by peaceful means on the basis on international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the pair shared the the view that disputes in the East Sea must be settled peacefully in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in order to guarantee security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight and consolidate peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world./.