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Viet Nam is key partner in EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
VGP - Viet Nam is as a key partner in the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and the EU commits to speed up the EVIPA ratification process, said President of the European Council (EC) Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the European Council (EC) Charles Michel, Vientiane, Laos, October 10, 2024 – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The EC President made the announcement during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 10 the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos.
The two sides were pleasured to witness the robust, intensive and extensive development of the relationship between Viet Nam and the EU, particularly in economy, trade, and investment cooperation since the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect in 2020.
They agreed to cement and deepen the bilateral cooperation in line with its potential, increase high-level exchanges and meetings, and remove existing obstacles and barriers to trade and investment, and promote effective cooperation in such emerging areas as digital economy, artificial intelligence, innovation, green transition, and climate change response.
Prime Minister Pham thanked the EU for providing EUR 650,000 in humanitarian aid to support Viet Nam to overcome the consequences of recent Typhoon Yagi.
Pham took the occasion to call on the EU to continue encouraging remaining member states to early ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and lift yellow card warning against Viet Nam's seafood exports.
The pair agreed to comply with the international laws and the United Nations Charter, and close coordination at global and regional multilateral forums.
Michel expressed the EU's desire to join hands with Vietnam and other ASEAN members to further deepen the EU - ASEAN partnership and affirmed its support for ASEAN's central role and common stance on regional issues, especially the East Sea and Myanmar-related matters.
The two leaders underlined the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, settling disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to peace, stability and common prosperity in the region and the world./.