Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang receives Chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang affirmed that the EU is a leading important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy.

Phó Thủ tướng Trần Lưu Quang tiếp Chủ tịch Ủy ban Thương mại quốc tế của Nghị viện châu Âu Bernd Lange. (Nguồn: TTXVN)

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee Bernd Lange. (Source: VNA)

On the afternoon of January 18, at the Government headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee Bernd Lange.

The European Union (EU) is currently Vietnam's fourth largest trading partner, sixth largest investor and largest non-refundable aid partner. Meanwhile, Vietnam is one of the few Asian countries with the most comprehensive relations with the EU, and the only ASEAN country with all pillars of cooperation with the Union.

Vietnam is also one of two countries in Southeast Asia, along with the Philippines and Indonesia, implementing key projects within the framework of the "Global Gateway" Strategy with the goal of smart, clean and safe connectivity in the digital, energy and transport sectors, strengthening the global healthcare, education and research systems, thereby promoting sustainable development and solving global problems.

At the reception, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang affirmed that the EU is a leading important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy; highly appreciated the positive results in the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the EU as well as between Vietnam and the bloc's member countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister hopes that the EU and its member countries will continue to share experiences, provide financial and technological support, and enhance capacity in responding to climate change and green energy transition to help Vietnam realize its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and promote green and sustainable development.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that Mr. Bernd Lange, with his role and prestige, have an important voice in urging the remaining 10 EU member countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby promoting equal and mutually beneficial investment relations between the two sides.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister also asked the Chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee to speak out so that the EC can soon remove the yellow card on Vietnam's seafood exports based on Vietnam's efforts in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

Mr. Bernd Lange recalled memories during the negotiation and signing of EVFTA with Vietnam. At the same time, he emphasized that the agreement was successful both "politically and economically" for both sides, contributing to helping Vietnam achieve a growth rate "desirable to many EU members".

The leader of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee assessed that Vietnam and the EU have a stable, trustworthy relationship and good cooperation in many fields, with many signed agreements, so the two sides need to cooperate closely to promote this relationship to continue to develop more deeply and widely in the future.

Regarding the IUU issue, Mr. Bernd Lange acknowledged and highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in recent times, especially in monitoring fishing vessels and perfecting the legal corridor; and recommended that Vietnam should promote law enforcement in localities.

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