Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The European Union (EU) is a top partner ofVietnam in many fields and the relationship with the bloc holds a strategic andimportant position in the country’s foreign policy, PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said while receiving Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, in Hanoi on December 10.
At the reception for the diplomat on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of Vietnam – EU ties, the PM highlighted the growing bilateraltrade amid global difficulties, saying their mutual understanding has led toeffective cooperation.
Aliberti said the 30th anniversary marks animportant milestone in the bilateral collaboration, which, he hoped, to bestrengthened in many spheres in the time to come.
Noting that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) hascreated favorable conditions for the two sides to boost their partnership, hesuggested the two sides push bilateral trade and Vietnam increase agro-aquatic productexport to the EU market.
The diplomat took the occasion to request the Vietnamese Governmenttackle obstacles to facilitate European enterprises’ operations inVietnam.
Agreeing with the guest's opinions, PM Phuc said the EVFTA, after cominginto force for a short time, has brought immediate effects to both sides,particularly in helping their economic recovery.
As Chair of ASEAN 2020, Vietnam is pleased with theestablishment of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership and is confident of effective cooperation between the two sides in the future, the PM said.
He lauded the EU’s positive voice in support of respectinginternational law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) in the East Sea.
The Government leader thanked the EU for helping Vietnamfulfill its mission as ASEAN Chair this year and wished for further assistanceto Vietnam as the country is holding a non-permanent seat in the UNSecurity Council for 2020-2021.
PM Phuc also expressed his gratitude to the bloc’s humanitarianaid worth 60,000 EUR for Vietnam to address drought and saline intrusion in theMekong Delta as well as support to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aliberti said EU leaders always treasure and highlyevaluate achievements in the EU-Vietnam relationship./.
VNA
