Vietnamese Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue received newly-accredited Ambassador of the European Union Franz Jessen in Hanoi on Feb. 10.

Hue spoke highly of the EU’s assistance to Vietnam , especially its ratification of the cooperation strategy with Vietnam during the 2007-2013 period.

As Vietnam ’s trade partner and one of the country’s largest ODA donors, the EU has significantly contributed to economic growth, poverty reduction, human resource development, international integration, and building social welfare policies in the Southeast Asian country, Hue said.

The Minister expressed his hope that the Ambassador will further boost relations between Vietnam and the EU.

Ambassador Franz Jessen said the current economic crisis in Europe will not affect the EU’s cooperative relations with its partners, including Vietnam .

He pledged to maintain and enhance the relationship between the two sides./.