Pleased to welcome the European Parliamentary Delegation to visit Vietnam and have a successful meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and representatives of several agencies of the Vietnamese National Assembly, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam highly values ​​and wishes to promote relations with the European Union (EU) - a leading important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Mr. Daniel Caspary. Photo: PHAM THANG

The National Assembly Chairman highly appreciated the positive and important results in the comprehensive Vietnam-EU relations (as well as between Vietnam and its member countries). Vietnam always supports the strengthening of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership. Vietnam and the Vietnamese National Assembly are ready to play an active role in this process.

Mr. Daniel Caspary sincerely thanked the Chairman of the National Assembly for taking the time to meet; shared the agenda content with various topics with relevant agencies of Vietnam in the past time, reflecting the EP's interest in cooperating with the National Assembly as well as functional agencies of Vietnam; including the cooperation mechanism in implementing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); cooperation in a number of fields; in ASEAN with the EU-ASEAN upgrading to a strategic partnership.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue at the reception. Photo: PHAM THANG

Emphasizing that both sides are going through a very difficult period, Mr. Daniel Caspary said that in that context, the relationship between the EU and Vietnam will play an increasingly important role. During the Covid-19 period, both sides have witnessed growth in trade and investment between the two sides, demonstrating the importance of the EVFTA. Mr. Daniel Caspary expressed his hope that trade turnover will continue to grow further in the coming time and that parliamentary cooperation plays a very important role in the overall cooperation between the EU and Vietnam.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that Vietnam is approaching the development of an inclusive and sustainable economy , paying attention to both economic development and environmental protection; proactively making a commitment to bring net emissions to zero by 2050. This is a very responsible commitment of Vietnam. Vietnam pursues the goal of development that ensures there is no large gap between rich and poor, demonstrated through regional development policies to narrow the regional development gap and through three national target programs.

Mr. Daniel Caspary at the reception. Photo: PHAM THANG

The National Assembly Chairman said that the relationship between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the EP is developing very well in the spirit of cooperation and construction; he hoped that the two sides would continue to cooperate closely, especially in exchanging experiences in parliamentary activities, perfecting legal institutions, and resolving global challenges. In addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation, the two sides need to actively and closely coordinate at important multilateral and regional parliamentary forums.

Mr. Daniel Caspary said that the EU is trying to get the parliaments of the remaining countries to continue to ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); expressing hope that, together with the European Union's "Global Gateway" initiative, it will contribute to strongly connecting the EU and ASEAN, as well as the people of the two blocs. The Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) Conference scheduled to take place this year in Europe will be an opportunity for the two sides to have exchanges and discussions to contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation.

View of the reception. Photo: PHAM THANG

At the meeting, through the Head of the Parliamentary Group Daniel Caspary, the National Assembly Chairman respectfully invited the EP young parliamentarian delegation to Vietnam to participate in the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Forum jointly organized by Vietnam and the Inter-Parliamentary Union in September this year.

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