The Foreign Ministry and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a New Year meeting in Hanoi on January 13 with EU Ambassador to Vietnam Franz Jessen as well as ambassadors and chargé d’affaires from EU member states.

The meeting was the first in a series of activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the EU (1990-2015).

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted positive development in bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the EU over the past 25 years, as well as partnership between Vietnam and each EU member countries.

He lauded the effective coordination and support that the EU and its members have given to Vietnam during the country’s development and international integration process.

The diplomat also thanked the EU diplomats for their contributions to the growth of Vietnam-EU ties.

Son expressed his belief that with the diplomats’ coordination, Vietnam and the EU will finalise work for 2015, including the ratification of a partnership and comprehensive cooperation framework agreement (PCA) and the signing of a Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as well as EU’s recognition of Vietnam ’s market economic status.

On the occasion, he also expressed sympathy to families of victims of the Charlie Hebdo terror attack in Paris on January 7, affirming that Vietnam hopes to work with the EU to ensure peace, security, stability and development in the region and the world.

On his part, Ambassador Franz Jessen hailed socio-economic achievements that Vietnam has made, as well as the sound relations between Vietnam and the EU over the past years.

The EU always attaches much importance to cooperation with Vietnam as one of important partners in the Asia-Pacific region, and is keen to boosting the ties, especially after the two sides reach the PCA and EVFTA.

Meanwhile, Hoang Van Dung, VCCI Vice Director stated that the chamber is ready to work for closer connectivity with ministries, sectors and businesses of both sides, contributing to the development of trade and economic collaboration between Vietnam and the EU.-VNA