Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives EU Inspection delegation on combating IUU fishing
WVR - On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a courtesy meeting with the European Commission (EC) Inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Director General of the Directorate for International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Director Fernando Andresen Guimaraes. (Photo: VNA) |
Welcoming the delegation to Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the significant importance of this inspection visit.
The Prime Minister also affirmed that the visit of the President of the European Council to Vietnam and the recent upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership mark a historic milestone, showcasing a new qualitative development with higher stature, broader cooperation scope, and deeper strategic depth in Vietnam-EU relations.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the central role, strategic voice, and global influence of the EU; affirming that Vietnam places great importance on and wishes to further strengthen relations with the EU – one of Vietnam’s leading partners in economy, trade, and investment. He acknowledged the EU as a pioneer in promoting sustainable development trends, green growth, circular economy, and free and balanced trade – areas that align perfectly with Vietnam's development orientation in the new phase.
Assessing Vietnam-EU relations, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the positive developments since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago (1990-2025). The effective implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has contributed to making the EU Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner, while Vietnam is the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Cooperation in fields such as defense-security, climate change, agriculture, justice, science and technology, and environment is also expanding with great potential.
The Prime Minister emphasized that as a country with a long coastline, Vietnam seeks to promote cooperation with countries, including the EU, in sustainable marine development such as marine research, marine environment protection, marine economy, and responsible fisheries, including IUU.
Thanking the EC for accompanying and supporting Vietnam in sustainable fisheries development over the past time, the Prime Minister stated that Vietnam is vigorously implementing measures to complete the legal framework, control the origin of seafood, monitor fishing vessel activities, and strictly handle violations.
The Prime Minister also requested the Inspection Delegation to acknowledge Vietnam's efforts and continue to support Vietnam in transitioning its fisheries development model towards modernity and sustainability, ensuring both the livelihoods of fishermen and a stable, uninterrupted supply for the EU market, contributing to maintaining food security.
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| Scene of the meeting. (Source: VNA) |
* Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, had a working session with the EC Inspection Delegation on the results of their mission and meetings with relevant departments and agencies in Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Hanoi.
With the goal of developing a sustainable and environmentally friendly fisheries sector, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed a desire to promote cooperation with EU partners in aquaculture, helping Vietnam gradually shift from exploitation to aquaculture, and develop marine services and tourism sustainably.
Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, and representatives of Vietnam’s ministries and agencies for receiving the delegation.
He stated that the Inspection Delegation conducted a mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, and Dak Lak, and thoroughly examined the implementation of the EC's recommendations on IUU. Initially, the delegation recognized Vietnam's collective efforts, especially the commitment and determination, and the close and decisive direction of the Vietnamese Government's leadership.
