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| President Vo Van Thuong receives Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation Giorgio Aliberti. (Source: VNA) |
On the afternoon of July 3, at the Presidential Palace, the President received Mr. Giorgio Aliberti, Ambassador-Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam, to bid farewell at the end of his term.
The President congratulated the Ambassador on his successful completion of his term in Vietnam, contributing to deepening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU. The President believes that in his new position, the Ambassador will continue to contribute to promoting good relations between Vietnam and the EU.
Expressing his gratitude to the President for taking the time to meet him, EU Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti expressed his pleasure at having made positive contributions to promoting bilateral relations during his tenure in the context of major changes in the world, especially the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ambassador was impressed by Vietnam's support of the EU with medical masks and the EU's support of Covid-19 vaccines for Vietnam.
The Ambassador emphasized that an important milestone in the past term was the signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which brought benefits to both sides. Thanks to that, Vietnam's exports to the EU have grown positively and EU businesses also have high expectations for this Agreement. Regarding the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the EU is continuing to urge member countries to soon ratify this Agreement.
The Ambassador said that the EU is working with Vietnam to address the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). So far, Vietnam is on the right track and has made improvements in this area.
Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti was also pleased to see that Vietnam and the EU are actively cooperating in the green transition; highly appreciating Vietnam's commitment to zero net emissions by 2050, which has attracted EU businesses. The EU has confidence in Vietnam, an important partner in this process, and is working with Vietnam to respond to climate change.
Sharing his feelings and impressions of the country and people of Vietnam, the Ambassador affirmed that no matter what position he holds, he will be a bridge and strive to contribute to the Vietnam-EU relationship.
Talking to the Ambassador about the major and unprecedented changes in the world in recent times, the President repeated the saying of the Vietnamese people: Only through adversity can we understand each other and believed that through the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries have understood more about Vietnam - always ready to be a friend, a trustworthy and responsible partner of the international community as well as helping Vietnam increase its understanding of other countries, thereby promoting friendly and cooperative relations to a new height. Vietnam sincerely thanks the EU for supporting the Covid-19 vaccine, helping Vietnam overcome the most stressful period of the pandemic.
The President highly appreciated the EU Ambassador's important contributions to promoting Vietnam-EU relations during his tenure, especially the signing of the EVFTA and urging EU members to soon ratify the EVIPA.
President Vo Van Thuong happily said that in recent meetings with senior leaders of EU countries, the leaders said that EU businesses highly appreciate Vietnam's open investment environment and that Vietnam is continuing to make efforts to improve this field.
Referring to the recent EU regulations increasing “green and clean” standards for imported goods, including Vietnamese goods, the President affirmed that Vietnamese enterprises are also actively meeting those requirements. Vietnam is also making great efforts to fulfill its commitment to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050; at the same time, it hopes to receive financial and technological support from developed countries, including the EU.
Informing that Vietnam has been very serious in implementing regulations and recommendations, aiming to ensure conditions for the EU to lift the IUU yellow card, the President hopes that the EU will properly and fully appreciate the efforts of the Vietnamese people and State.
Discussing further with the Ambassador on the issue of human rights in Vietnam, President Vo Van Thuong stated that Vietnam always attaches importance to human rights. Ever since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (in 1945), now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam has always strived to implement and ensure the highest human rights. The 2013 Constitution has fully stipulated human rights and currently Vietnam is striving and persistently implementing those constitutional rights.
The President affirmed that Vietnam highly respects, creates conditions for, and encourages foreign socio-political organizations and non-governmental organizations to operate in Vietnam.
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