Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang receives EP delegation
WVR/VNA - On June 20, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception for the European Parliament (EP)’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) in Hanoi.
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Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN Daniel Caspary. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa) |
Deputy Foreign Minister Hang expressed her delight at active developments of the relations between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) and its member countries across spheres, from politics-diplomacy to trade, investment and development cooperation.
Vietnam and the EU have reached many important agreements, creating frameworks for them to promote their bilateral comprehensive cooperation, she said, adding that the EU is now Vietnam’s fifth biggest trade and investment partner, and largest non-refundable aid supplier.
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| At the meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN Daniel Caspary. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa) |
Deputy Foreign Minister Hang also spoke highly of efforts by the Vietnamese National Assembly and the EP in maintaining exchange and dialogue channels effectively, and suggested the EP and DASE parliamentarians in particular continue their support for the enhancement of the Vietnam-EU relations in the time ahead, with priorities given to high-level delegation exchange, the implementation of cooperation mechanisms as well as commitments in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and the expansion of cooperation in the areas of the EU’s strengths and Vietnam’s demand like energy transition and climate change response.
On this occasion, the Deputy Foreign Minister proposed EP parliamentarians urge legislatures of the EU member countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the EC to soon remove its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood based on the Southeast Asian nation’s efforts in seriously and fully observing the EC’s recommendations regarding the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
She lauded the establishment of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership, and acknowledged the EU’s interest in the ten-member grouping.
Daniel Caspary, who led the DASE delegation, expressed his with to deepen the EU-Vietnam cooperation in the time ahead, especially in political dialogues, trade, investment, and just energy transition.
He stressed importance of the EVFTA to the bilateral trade, and agreed to urge the EU member countries to soon ratify the EVIPA in order to benefit and open up new cooperation opportunities for businesses of both sides.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN take a group photo. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa) |
The participating parliamentarians hailed Vietnam’s role and position in the region and for the EU.
The two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern, and emphasised the significance of international law and respect for the UN Charter.
They also shared the view on ensuring freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and expressed their support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The DASE delegation visited Vietnam from June 19 to 21, 2023.
(Source: WVR/VNA)
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