Public Security Deputy Minister welcomes EU official hinh anh 1Scene at the reception. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Public Security To Lam hosted a reception for Ugo Astuto, the European External Action Service’s Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, in Hanoi on December 14.

Deputy Minister Lam said hailed the freshly signed EU – Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA), saying it will underpin bilateral trade and investment in the long term.

The Ministry of Public Security wishes to strengthen and further develop win-win cooperation with the EU, especially in law enforcement.

Astuto, for his part, underscored that Vietnam is among the EU’s key partners in Southeast Asia and expressed his belief in the future growth of the ties.

Both sides also discussed shared concerns including law enforcement, ensuring social security and the implementation of international conventions.

The EVFTA is an inclusive agreement that ensures the balance of interests, with due consideration for the development gap between the two sides.

Vietnam and the EU will eliminate tariffs on over 99 percent of tariff lines. For the few remaining lines, the two sides will give each other a certain customs quota or partial reduction of customs tariffs.-VNA
VNA