Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vuong Thua Phong (left) and President of the parliamentary friendship group, Jan Zahradil (Source: VNA) Brussels (VNA) – European officials and international friends gathered in Brussels,Belgium on November 29 to mark the second anniversary of the Vietnam – EUparliamentary friendship group in the European Parliament (EP) (November 11).
The event wasorganised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium and Vietnam’s Mission to the EU.
Addressing theceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the VietnamMission to the EU Vuong Thua Phong lauded the contributions made bythe EP to promoting Vietnam – EU relations.
Phong highlightedsignificant achievements in the past two years, including the conclusion of negotiations for the EU -Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) in December 2015, and theEU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership andCooperation becoming effective in October 2016.
Vietnam supportsEU efforts to expand cooperation in Asia – Pacific, Phong said, expressing hishope that the two sides will accelerate the ratification of the EVFTA.
For his part, presidentof the parliamentary friendship group, Jan Zahradil detailed the group’soperations over the past two years.
The most importanttask is to push ratification of the EVFTA, he said, adding that final legaldocuments are under review.
As part of itsefforts to push ratification of the EVFTA, the group President is scheduled tovisit Vietnam from December 3-5. A delegation from the group will also tourVietnam next year to strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the twonations.
The Vietnam – EUparliamentary friendship group gathers nearly 40 parliamentarians in differentparties in the EP, with the aim of boosting Vietnam – EU relations.-VNA
VNA
