Deputy Prime Minister requests EC to soon remove 'yellow card' on Vietnam's seafood exports

On the evening of July 30, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the occasion of his official visit to Vietnam from July 29-31.

At the reception, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long thanked the EC Vice President and EU High Representative for visiting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, expressing the affection and respect of the European Union and the High Representative personally for the General Secretary's great contributions in promoting Vietnam-EU relations; affirming that the EU is one of Vietnam's leading partners.

With the joint efforts of both sides, Vietnam-EU relations are developing positively, from traditional areas such as politics -diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation to new areas such as defense-security, climate change response, both within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

The European Union is currently the largest non-refundable aid partner, the fourth largest trading partner, and the fifth largest investor of Vietnam. Vietnam is currently the largest trading partner of the European Union among ASEAN countries.

The two sides have actively cooperated in the fields of defense-security, justice, labor, agriculture, science-technology, environment, etc. and achieved many substantive results. One bright spot is cooperation in responding to climate change.

The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the EU on successfully organizing the elections for the European Parliament and the new EU Executive Board; and suggested that the EU continue to promote delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones, to enhance political trust and create a foundation for cooperation in other areas.

The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the President of the European Commission and invited her to visit Vietnam soon.

Proposing that the two sides coordinate to effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as well as other agreements and cooperation mechanisms between the two sides, towards the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-EU diplomatic relations (1990-2025), Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long also requested the EU to urge the remaining member countries to soon complete the ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports based on recognition of Vietnam's efforts and achievements in preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received Vice President of the European Commission (EC) and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

Appreciating Vietnam's development achievements as well as its increasing role and position in the region and multilateral forums, and the resilience of the Vietnamese people in the struggle for independence as well as in national construction, EC Vice President and EU High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles affirmed that the European Union considers Vietnam a priority and important partner in the Asia-Pacific region; suggested that the two sides upgrade their relations; promote cooperation in the fields of defense and security, climate change response, implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); justice and prevention and combat of IUU.

Expressing his gratitude for the EU's development cooperation projects supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development and international integration in recent times, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long suggested that the EU continue to maintain the provision of ODA to Vietnam in the fields of enhancing public governance capacity, green and digital transformation, sustainable fisheries development, financial and technological support, and human resource training so that Vietnam can effectively implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The two sides discussed international issues of mutual concern; agreed that conflicts should be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed on the stance of resolving disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), contributing to ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, contributing to strengthening peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/pho-thu-tuong-de-nghi-ec-som-go-the-vang-voi-xuat-khau-hai-san-cua-viet-nam-post967714.vnp