Viet Nam can pioneer in implementing EU green standards: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the above statement while hosting a reception for Ambassador Julien Guerrier, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Viet Nam in Ha Noi on November 24.

Pham hailed the positive outcomes in the bilateral relations across all sectors, notably EU is the third biggest export market, and the sixth biggest investor of Viet Nam while the Southeast Asian nation is the EU's largest trade partner among ASEAN Member States.

To further strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation, the Prime Minister suggested both sides explore the possibility of further upgrading the relationship, enhance all-level delegation exchanges, and tackle difficulties and obstacles in the process of implementing the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

He called on the EU member countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation.

Pham proposed the EU assist Viet Nam in terms of financial resources, technology, institutional improvement, and human resource training, especially environmental protection and climate change response, with priority given to effective implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

He suggested the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports and bolster collaboration with Viet Nam in development of modern and sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, logistics, offshore wind power, exploitation of marine resources, and ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation.

Viet Nam welcomes the EU to make substantive contribution to the region, promote ASEAN-EU relations; encourages the EU to engage in ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms, he stated.

Julien Guerrier, for his part, expressed his impression with Viet Nam's achievements, and development goals, as well as the nation's commitment and efforts in responding to climate change.

He spoke highly of Viet Nam's active support and becoming one of the pioneer countries in implementing EU green standards.

The EU will continue working closely and supporting Viet Nam in realizing development goals by 2045 and achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2050, he underlined.

He vowed to enhance close coordination with functional agencies from both sides to carry out cooperation activities as proposed by the Prime Minister.

The diplomat pledged to back the principled stance of ASEAN in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, and addressing disputes via peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.