Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan received newly accredited Ambassador-Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Franz Jessen, in Hanoi on Dec. 16.

Deputy PM Nhan expressed thanks to the EU for its increasing official development assistance to Vietnam and affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to relations with the EU, especially in trade, science and education.

He said that Vietnam will seriously implement commitments after the two sides officially sign the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and complete negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

He expressed his wish that the EU will continue to support Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in political issues, particularly maritime security, trade security and transport in the East Sea .

Ambassador Franz Jessen expressed his pleasure at his appointment in Vietnam and promised to try his best to boost relations between the EU and the Southeast Asian nation./.