Czech Republic supports EC to soon remove IUU yellow card from Vietnam

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid an official visit to the Czech Republic on June 9 and 10 at the invitation of Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. During the visit, Minister Bui Thanh Son met with President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystricil and held talks with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystricil. Photo: VNA

During meetings with Czech leaders, Minister Bui Thanh Son hoped to continue promoting cooperation with the Czech Republic in all fields, especially in trade-investment, science-technology, education-training, tourism, and people-to-people exchange...

Czech leaders affirmed that Vietnam is the Czech Republic's most important partner in Southeast Asia; expressed their impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in recent years; and highly appreciated Vietnam's increasingly important position and role.

The two sides were pleased to note that thanks to the positive impact of the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), trade and investment cooperation between the two countries has become a bright spot with bilateral trade turnover in 2022 reaching 848 million USD, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2021. The two sides agreed to discuss and soon agree on a new framework of relations to comprehensively promote cooperation between the two countries; effectively utilize the opportunities of the EVFTA, create conditions for the two countries' export goods to access each other's markets; enhance the operational efficiency of the Vietnam-Czech Republic Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation and create favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to connect and explore the market.

The Czech side positively acknowledged Minister Bui Thanh Son's proposal to urge other EU countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-European Union Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The Czech Government supports the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card (illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing) on ​​Vietnam's seafood exports.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky. Photo: VNA

The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in the fields of security-defense, education-training, labor, science-technology, culture and tourism.

Regarding international cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen close coordination and mutual support at multilateral organizations and forums, especially at the United Nations, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and within the framework of the ASEAN-European Union Strategic Partnership.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides shared the stance of supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter, respecting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked the Czech Government for creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work stably and integrate successfully in the Czech Republic; he believed that the community would continue to actively promote its role as a bridge to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son respectfully invited Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský to pay an official visit to Vietnam. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský affirmed that he will soon visit Vietnam at a time suitable for both sides.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/sec-ung-ho-ec-som-go-the-vang-iuu-voi-viet-nam-20230610084938193.htm