Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception in Hanoi on July 22 for Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), congratulating her guest on the successful co-chairing of the 5th meeting of the Vietnam – EU Political Sub-committee.
Deputy Minister Hang hailed the robust growth of Vietnam – EU relations since their diplomatic ties began 35 years ago, noting the EU’s emergence as one of Vietnam’s top trade partners five years after the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect. She expressed optimism about further breakthroughs in investment ties once the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) is ratified and put into force.
Amid complex and evolving global and regional landscapes, she called for deepening cooperation in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner, beyond traditional areas like politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, national defence, and security to include emerging areas such as sci-tech, green transition, digital transformation, labour, vocational training, and sustainable fisheries.
She welcomed European investment in Vietnam’s key infrastructure, renewable energy, green transition, digital transformation, and environmental projects, noting that many Vietnamese companies are also exploring opportunities in Europe.
Reflecting on the subcommittee meeting, Pampaloni, who is on a visit to Vietnam from July 20 to 24, said both sides had reviewed the state of bilateral relations, exchanged updates on domestic developments, and outlined steps to deepen substantive cooperation.
She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment as a reliable partner and stressed the need for closer coordination between the EEAS and Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry to facilitate high-level delegation exchanges, elevate bilateral relations, and advance the EVFTA implementation.
The EU official also praised Vietnam’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, expressing hope that the European Commission would make an objective assessment and consider lifting its “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports. She also voiced support for accelerating the EVIPA ratification process.
The discussions also touched on global trade challenges and perspectives on pressing global and regional issues of shared concern.
On the occasion, Pampaloni informed that the fourth Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, set to take place in Brussels, Belgium, later this year, would aim to advance joint projects under the EU-led initiatives in the region.
Earlier that morning, Pampaloni co-chaired the subcommittee meeting with Bui Ha Nam, Director of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s European Affairs Department./.
