Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao, who is also head of Vietnam's Delegation to the EU, speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium NguyenVan Thao, who is also head of Vietnam'sDelegation to the EU, made thestatement at a workshop toreview the relations between ASEAN and EU over the last four decades in Brussels on March 21.
Speaking on behalf of ASEAN at the discussion on trade cooperation, Thao highlightedthe great potential for the two sides to further step up trade cooperation, which he said is a driver of the ASEAN- EU relations.
According to the diplomat, the two sides are now the third largest trade partners ofeach other. They have mutual complementarity in key export products, and at thesame time have the needs and policies to diversify supply chains. The EU is also the second biggest foreign investorin ASEAN with more than 380 billion EUR invested in ASEAN as of 2021.
He proposed that the two sides should setup a free trade agreement (FTA) on the basis of bilateral FTAs that the EU has signed with ASEANmember nations, including Vietnam.
The diplomat called on the EU to increase its support for ASEAN and promote connectivity with the bloc by supporting the implementation of the Master Plan onASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and the EU's Global Gateway Programme.
Efforts need to be taken by both sides, and dialogue should be intensifiedto narrow the gap and enhance understanding and respect for each other'sculture, Thao said.
Addressing the event, VicePresident of the EuropeanParliament (EP) HeidiHautala said ASEAN and the EU have enjoyed an equal partnership in which trade is themain driving force.
Hautala stressed theneed to effectively implement results of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit and the EU-ASEANPlan of Action2023-2027.
The EU is willing tocooperate with ASEAN for mutual benefits, towards the goal of sustainabledevelopment, she said.
JanZahradil, Vice-Chair ofthe EP’s Committee on InternationalTrade welcomedthe idea of an EU-ASEAN parliamentary council, saying that the long-term goalof FTAs between regions should not be abandoned.
Participants said that there is a lot ofuntapped potential in the ASEAN-EU relations, so the two sides should furtherfoster all-around cooperation to bring practical benefits to their people.
Jointly held by the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC), the EP and the EIAS, the event saw the participation of 200delegates from the EP, the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC), embassies, universities, researchinstitutes and businesses in Brussels./.
According to the diplomat, the two sides are now the third largest trade partners ofeach other. They have mutual complementarity in key export products, and at thesame time have the needs and policies to diversify supply chains. The EU is also the second biggest foreign investorin ASEAN with more than 380 billion EUR invested in ASEAN as of 2021.
He proposed that the two sides should setup a free trade agreement (FTA) on the basis of bilateral FTAs that the EU has signed with ASEANmember nations, including Vietnam.
The diplomat called on the EU to increase its support for ASEAN and promote connectivity with the bloc by supporting the implementation of the Master Plan onASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and the EU's Global Gateway Programme.
Efforts need to be taken by both sides, and dialogue should be intensifiedto narrow the gap and enhance understanding and respect for each other'sculture, Thao said.
Addressing the event, VicePresident of the EuropeanParliament (EP) HeidiHautala said ASEAN and the EU have enjoyed an equal partnership in which trade is themain driving force.
Hautala stressed theneed to effectively implement results of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit and the EU-ASEANPlan of Action2023-2027.
The EU is willing tocooperate with ASEAN for mutual benefits, towards the goal of sustainabledevelopment, she said.
JanZahradil, Vice-Chair ofthe EP’s Committee on InternationalTrade welcomedthe idea of an EU-ASEAN parliamentary council, saying that the long-term goalof FTAs between regions should not be abandoned.
Participants said that there is a lot ofuntapped potential in the ASEAN-EU relations, so the two sides should furtherfoster all-around cooperation to bring practical benefits to their people.
Jointly held by the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC), the EP and the EIAS, the event saw the participation of 200delegates from the EP, the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC), embassies, universities, researchinstitutes and businesses in Brussels./.
VNA
