EU supports Vietnam with 850,000 euros to overcome flood consequences

At the 6th meeting of the Vietnam-EU Joint Committee, the EU side said that the EU has supported Vietnam with 850,000 euros to overcome the consequences and continues to call on member countries to contribute.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Acting Director General of the EEAS Asia -Pacific Department co-chaired the 6th Meeting of the Vietnam-EU Joint Committee. (Source: International Newspaper)

On November 24, at the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) Headquarters in Brussels, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Acting Director General of the EEAS Asia- Pacific Department, Ms. Paola Pampaloni, co-chaired the 6th Meeting of the Vietnam-European Union (EU) Joint Committee to implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

Attending the meeting, on the Vietnamese side were Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao, and representatives of relevant ministries and branches. On the EU side were representatives of the EEAS and representatives of the Directorates General of the European Commission (EC).

Opening the session, Ms. Paola Pampaloni expressed her sympathy with Vietnam for the damage caused by storms and floods.

She said the EU has provided Vietnam with 850,000 euros to help overcome the consequences and continues to call on member states to contribute. Some countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, and the Czech Republic have responded and the first relief shipment from Luxembourg has arrived in Vietnam.

At the meeting, the two sides informed each other about the socio-economic situation, foreign policies and comprehensively reviewed Vietnam-EU cooperation within existing frameworks, including the Defense-Security Dialogue, the Trade Committee implementing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and specialized subcommittees.

The two sides assessed that the Vietnam-EU relationship continues to develop positively after 35 years of establishing diplomatic relations, political trust has been consolidated, delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels, have been maintained regularly, Vietnam has now established a comprehensive strategic partnership with France, strategic partnerships with Spain, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Finland, Bulgaria and comprehensive partnerships with Denmark, Hungary and the Netherlands.

This is an important foundation for the two sides to move towards elevating Vietnam-EU relations in the coming time.

Cooperation in trade-investment, development, defense-security, education-training and climate change response has achieved many important results. EU support programs on modernizing public finance, economic governance and energy transition have been effectively implemented.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations; coordinate to effectively implement the EVFTA; and urge the remaining six EU member states to soon ratify the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The two sides also agreed to effectively promote existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms.

Vietnam and the EU affirmed to continue expanding cooperation in potential areas, especially trade and investment; green economy; digital transformation; circular economy; sustainable fisheries; clean energy transition; science and technology; innovation; infrastructure and climate change response.

The two sides emphasized that science, technology and innovation are new pillars of cooperation.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang proposed that the EU support Vietnam in effectively exploiting initiatives such as Erasmus+ (Education, Training, Youth and Sports Programme), Horizon Europe (EU's largest research and innovation programme) and JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership).

The Deputy Minister also informed about Vietnam's strong measures in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and proposed that the EU and its member states soon consider removing the "yellow card."

The EU acknowledged Vietnam's efforts and will continue to discuss technical issues.

Representatives of ministries and sectors of the two sides proposed many specific measures to enhance cooperation in trade-investment, finance, agriculture, development, climate change response, defense-security, etc.

The EU affirmed that it considers Vietnam an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region and highly appreciates Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development and international integration.

The EU hopes that Vietnam will actively participate in projects within the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Global Gateway Initiative.

The two sides agreed to promote multilateralism and the role of the United Nations, affirming the settlement of maritime disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The two sides support the assurance of security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

Vietnam and the EU also affirmed their priority in strengthening the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-EU strategic partnership, promoting trade and investment cooperation, responding to global challenges in climate, natural disasters, environment and epidemics; and contributing to green and sustainable development in sub-regions, including the Mekong sub-region.

The meeting affirmed the determination of Vietnam and the EU to strengthen comprehensive cooperation, effectively promote dialogue mechanisms and expand coordination in potential areas, creating an important foundation for more substantial and sustainable development of bilateral relations in the coming time./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/eu-ho-tro-viet-nam-850000-euro-de-khac-phuc-hau-qua-lu-lut-post1079055.vnp