President To Lam receives ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of the EU and member countries

On the afternoon of June 7, at the Presidential Palace, President To Lam received the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) and ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of EU member countries in Hanoi who came to greet and congratulate him on the occasion of his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

At the meeting,the President affirmed that the EU and its member countries are important partners of Vietnam; he was pleased to see that the relationship between Vietnam and the EU and its member countries has developed dynamically in recent times, demonstrated through increased delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; and effective implementation of agreements and cooperation and dialogue mechanisms.

President To Lam received ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of the EU and member countries.

The relationship between Vietnam and EU member countries is developing positively in both breadth and depth on the basis of good friendship, strengths and needs of each country. Vietnam has established strategic partnerships with 4 EU member countries, comprehensive partnerships with 3 countries and strategic partnerships in various fields with 3 countries.

In the coming time, to develop the relationship between Vietnam and the EU and its member countries more strongly and effectively, the President suggested that ambassadors and chargé d'affaires continue to promote delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels, to enhance political trust and create momentum for cooperation in all areas. At the same time, effectively promote existing cooperation mechanisms to effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as cooperation documents between Vietnam and EU countries, in order to remove obstacles, propose measures to promote cooperation; strengthen response to global challenges, in which priority is given to effectively implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The President also asked the ambassadors to have a voice in urging EU countries that have not yet ratified the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to soon ratify the Agreement and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports, taking into account the difficulties, differences in development levels between the two sides and the livelihoods of Vietnamese fishermen; helping Vietnam develop its marine economy and sustainable seafood farming.

Welcoming the EU's cooperation strategies and initiatives with the Indo-Pacific region with a balanced approach and many cooperation priorities in line with Vietnam's sustainable development goals, the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge between the EU and the region, promoting cooperation through the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership framework, as well as between ASEAN and EU member countries.
Discussing with ambassadors and chargé d'affaires on a number of international issues of mutual concern, President To Lam affirmed that Vietnam always adheres to "an independent, self-reliant, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, and is a responsible member of the international community".

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides affirmed to continue to strongly support the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, UNCLOS 1982, contributing to ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, and consolidating peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

President To Lam hopes that the ambassadors and chargé d'affaires will always be an important bridge, contributing more to promoting the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU and its member countries in the coming time, contributing to soon bringing the Vietnam-EU cooperation relationship to a new height.

On behalf of the ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of EU member states in Hanoi, EU Ambassador Julien Guerrier affirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU’s important partners in the Asia-Pacific region in general, and in Southeast Asia in particular. The EU wishes to promote trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam, considering cooperation with Vietnam as a model for the EU’s cooperation with developing countries in the world.

The EU wishes to support Vietnam in achieving its national development goals by 2045 and achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Ambassador Julien Guerrier affirmed that the bilateral relationship still has a lot of potential for cooperation in the coming time, such as developing green, digital and circular economies, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, justice, labor, defense, security, and responding to climate change with priority given to implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The Ambassador emphasized that the EU is strongly implementing regional cooperation strategies and initiatives, especially the Global Gateway Initiative; and said that the EU plans to implement a number of cooperation projects with ASEAN and in Vietnam within the framework of the Initiative.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier expressed his belief that under the leadership of President To Lam, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and EU countries will develop more strongly and extensively, making important contributions to peace, security and stability in the region and the world.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier was pleased to convey the congratulatory letter from the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission to President To Lam; expressing his belief that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the EU and its member countries will develop more strongly and extensively, for the benefit of both sides.

News and photos: VNA

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