HCMC – The European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which recently came into force, has brought immediate benefits to both sides, particularly in aiding their economic recovery, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting with ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam Giorgio Aliberti on December 10.
At the meeting, held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam-EU partnership, the Vietnamese Government leader said the EU is Vietnam’s leading partner in many sectors and the relationship with the bloc has a strategic and important position in the country’s diplomatic policy.
Moreover, their bilateral trade has grown strongly amid global difficulties, the prime minister said, adding that the mutual understanding between the two sides has led to their effective cooperation.
As the chairman of ASEAN in 2020, Vietnam is pleased with the establishment of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership and is confident of the effective cooperation between the two sides in the future, PM Phuc said.
He highly evaluated the EU’s support for the respect of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the East Sea.
He thanked the EU for helping Vietnam fulfill its mission as ASEAN Chairman this year and expected the bloc to continue supporting Vietnam to fulfill its missions as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to the bloc’s humanitarian aid worth 60,000 euros (US$72,900) for Vietnam to combat drought and salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta and to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aliberti said the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-EU ties marks an important milestone in the bilateral collaboration, which is expected to be strengthened in the coming periods.
Despite the pandemic, Vietnam has proved its role in the international arena, especially as the chairman of ASEAN and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. The country has also successfully controlled the Covid-19 pandemic, the ambassador remarked.
EVFTA has created favorable conditions for the two sides to boost their partnership, he noted, suggesting the two sides increase bilateral trade and Vietnam increase agro-aquatic exports to the EU market.
The deal will also facilitate Vietnam to achieve an important position in global value chains, Aliberti added.
At the meeting, the EU ambassador said EU leaders always treasure and highly evaluate achievements in the EU-Vietnam relationship. He also proposed the Vietnamese Government remove obstacles to make conditions favorable for European enterprises in Vietnam.
As for the EU ambassador’s proposal, PM Phuc said he would ask the relevant ministries and agencies to review regulations and remove obstacles facing investors, especially EU investors.
