Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans (Photo: VNA) ThePM affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the role of the EU – one of themost important partners in Vietnam’s external policy, while expressing hispleasure with steps of sound development in the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnershipand cooperation in the past time, with focus on collaboration in the pillars ofpolitics - diplomat, trade – investment, development cooperation and security –defence.
Despite COVID-19 impacts, two-way trade reached 57 billion USD in 2021, ayear-on-year increase of 14.5 percent, contributing to maintain the EU’s positionas Vietnam’s leading economic and development partner.
ThePM suggested the two sides strengthen the exchange of delegations, especiallyhigh-level ones, and resume face-to-face meetings for cooperation/dialogue mechanisms,while proposing the EU facilitate the entry of Vietnamese goods to the Europeanmarket, especially farm produce and seasonal fruits.
Based on the country’s efforts and progress, he also proposed the EU considerthe removal of the EC’s yellow card warning imposed on Vietnam’s seafood.
He asked for the EU’s support to the acceleration of other EU member countriesto complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement(EVIPA).
The PM thanked the EU and its member countries for their timely provision of vaccines,medical equipment and supplies to help Vietnam control the COVID-19 pandemic, thusboosting socio-economic recovery and development.
He also suggested the EU and its member countries continue to help Vietnam improveits healthcare capacity, develop the pharmaceutical industry, and providemedical equipment and necessary supplies, COVID-19 treatment drugs.
Defining climate change adaptation as one of the key and urgenttasks, Vietnam has been actively joining the international community in greenhousegas emission reduction, Chinh said.
He informed that the nation has seriously and quicklyimplemented its commitments made at the COP26 through the establishment of a nationalsteering committee serving the work at the end of December last year.
He stated that with the principle of not trading theenvironment for economic growth, Vietnam will soon complete its relevant legalframeworks; develop specific plans, measures and roadmaps, and adjust relatedstrategies and master plans; promote public-private cooperation andmobilise resources for climate change adaptation, among others.
Commending the EU for considering climate change adaptationone of the three key matters in its cooperation programme with Vietnam for 2021-2027, the PM expressed his belief that the bloc’s climate strategies andpolicies will open up new cooperation opportunities for the two sides in line withVietnam’s sustainable development orientations.
He suggested the EU and its member nations as well asEuropean firms and financial organisations assist Vietnam in terms oftechnology, human resources, finance and management capacity so that thenation can implement global commitments and initiatives on emission reductionand climate change adaptation; formulate and perfect its law on environment; andimprove its capacity regarding natural disaster response in the context ofclimate change.
He also highlighted the necessity of establishing anequitable energy transition partnership with Vietnam that is similar to the model thatthe EU and some European countries have signed with South Africa.
Timmermans showed his impression at Vietnam'sachievements in developing a self-reliant economy, affirming that the EUattaches great importance to the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam andhopes to further bolster the ties in prioritised areas such as trade,investment, sustainable development, environment and climate change response,science-technology and clean energy.
He lauded strong commitments of Vietnam that madeimportant contributions to the success of the COP26, stating that the EU andits members hope to accompany Vietnam during the country’s sustainabledevelopment process and are willing to share experience, give technical supportto and mobilise resources for Vietnam to realise its commitments, whilesupporting the country to become self-reliant in energy.
PM Chinh and his guest also discussedinternational and regional issues, including the settlement of the East Seaissue through peaceful measures with respect for international law and the 1982UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They agreed to promote collaboration through suchmechanisms as ASEM and the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, while workingtogether to grasp cooperation opportunities and deal with common challenges,especially those regarding the environment, climate change, green and digitaltransformation, infrastructure connectivity, health care and gender equality.
PM Chinh took the occasion to extend hisinvitation to EC President Ursula von der Leyen to visit Vietnam./.
VNA
