At the reception, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-European Union (EU) relationship, as well as between Vietnam and EU member countries, in all areas of politics -diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, etc.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Mr. Daniel Caspary. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Appreciating the Vietnamese National Assembly and the EP for maintaining effective channels of exchange and dialogue, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang suggested that the EP in general and DASE parliamentarians in particular continue to support strengthening Vietnam-EU cooperation in the coming time, prioritizing the exchange of high-level delegations; effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms to review and orient cooperation priorities in the coming time; effectively implementing commitments within the framework of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); promoting the expansion of cooperation in areas where the EU has strengths and Vietnam has needs such as energy transition, climate change response, etc., including support for institution building, financial mobilization, technology transfer, and human resource training.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also asked EP parliamentarians to have a voice in urging the parliaments of EU member states to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card on Vietnam's seafood exports, taking into account Vietnam's recent efforts in seriously and fully implementing the EC's recommendations on IUU. Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang welcomed the EU becoming a strategic partner of ASEAN and acknowledged the EU's interest in the Mekong sub-region.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and the European Parliament Delegation in charge of relations with ASEAN and Southeast Asian countries. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On behalf of the DASE delegation, Mr. Daniel Caspary shared his assessment of the positive development of the EU-Vietnam relationship; wished to deepen cooperation between the two sides in the coming time, especially in the fields of political dialogue, trade-investment cooperation, fair energy transition, etc. Mr. Daniel Caspary highly appreciated the importance of the EVFTA Agreement for trade cooperation between the two sides and agreed to promote the early ratification of the EVIPA Agreement by EU member countries to meet the interests and open up new cooperation opportunities for the EU and Vietnamese business communities. The parliamentarians of the delegation highly appreciated the role and position of Vietnam in the region and towards the EU.

The two sides also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern, emphasizing the importance of international law and respect for the United Nations Charter. The two sides shared views on ensuring freedom, security, and safety of navigation and aviation, maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea; and supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PEACE