Vietnam appreciates the EU's support in socio-economic development and international integration.

NDO – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that Vietnam highly appreciates the EU's support in socio-economic development, contributing to promoting Vietnam's deep international integration process. At the same time, he proposed that the EU continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam, focusing on areas of important significance in the process of sustainable development and international integration.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and EC Vice President, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

On July 30, at the Government Guest House, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed and held talks with Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. After the talks, Minister Bui Thanh Son and Vice President of the EC Josep Borrell Fontelles met with news agencies and the press.

At the press conference, Minister Bui Thanh Son and EC Vice President Josep Borrell Fontelles affirmed that the two sides had just had a very successful meeting in the spirit of frank, open, constructive exchange and mutual trust.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son respectfully thanked the EU High Representative for coming to Vietnam to attend the State Funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and for his official visit to Vietnam, demonstrating the respect of the EU and Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles personally for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnam.

View of the talks between Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and EC Vice President, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

EC Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles expressed his deep condolences to the Vietnamese people on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, emphasizing that the General Secretary had made an important contribution to consolidating Vietnam's role and position in the international arena and making an important contribution to promoting Vietnam's relations with the EU.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the very positive developments in Vietnam-EU relations, especially in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, defense-security, development cooperation, justice, agriculture, etc., affirming that delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level ones, have been increased, contributing to increasing political trust and promoting cooperation in all fields.

Currently, the two sides are effectively implementing 4 cooperation agreements and 8 dialogue mechanisms. Vietnam is the first ASEAN country to have all pillars of political, economic, defense-security cooperation with the EU.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and EC Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles met the press after the talks. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

The EU is the largest provider of non-refundable aid and one of Vietnam's leading trade and investment partners. The Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) after nearly four years of implementation has helped bilateral trade grow positively.

The EU is currently Vietnam's 4th largest trading partner with two-way trade turnover reaching 58.5 billion USD in 2023, of which 24.7 billion USD in the first 6 months of this year, up 16% over the same period in 2023; it is the 5th largest investor with total accumulated FDI in Vietnam reaching nearly 30 billion USD. Vietnam is the EU's 16th largest trading partner and the largest in ASEAN.

Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that Vietnam highly appreciates the EU's support in socio-economic development, contributing to promoting Vietnam's deep international integration process.

In addition, the Minister proposed that the EU continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam through bilateral and multilateral cooperation channels and regional cooperation programs, focusing on areas of importance to Vietnam in the process of sustainable development and international integration such as: Strengthening public governance capacity, green, digital and circular economy, sustainable fisheries development; continuing to closely coordinate to effectively implement EVFTA; promptly remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports based on recognition of Vietnam's efforts and achievements in preventing and combating IUU; urging the remaining member countries to promptly ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to bring bilateral economic cooperation commensurate with the potential of both sides.

The Minister also proposed that the EU provide maximum support in finance, technology and human resource training to help Vietnam effectively implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), including supporting Vietnam in establishing a carbon certificate market connected to the international market and implementing green hydrogen projects.