On the morning of July 30, at the Presidential Palace, President To Lam received Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from July 29-31, 2024 at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
At the meeting, President To Lam thanked the EC Vice President and EU High Representative for attending the State Funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, demonstrating the EU's respect for the General Secretary's great contributions in promoting Vietnam - EU relations in recent times.
The President congratulated the EU on electing a new Executive Board, expressing his belief that Mr. Josep Borrell's visit would create important momentum to strongly promote Vietnam - EU relations, and highly appreciated his contributions to bilateral relations during his tenure as President of the European Parliament for the 2004 - 2007 term.
The President affirmed that the EU is a very important partner of Vietnam; he was pleased to see that the relationship between Vietnam and the EU has developed positively in recent times, demonstrated by the two sides increasing the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts; effectively implementing many agreements and cooperation and dialogue mechanisms. The Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) after 4 years of implementation has created a new momentum for trade and investment, making Vietnam the EU's largest trade partner among ASEAN countries. Cooperation in tourism, education - training, culture - arts and people-to-people exchange has also been very vibrant, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, thereby promoting cooperation in other fields.
The President hoped that the two sides would continue to promote delegation exchanges, especially at high levels; effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the EVFTA as well as other agreements and cooperation mechanisms. The President also asked the EU to urge the remaining member countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); promptly remove the "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports based on Vietnam's efforts and achievements in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU); continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam, support Vietnam in effectively implementing the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); strengthen cooperation in cyber security, maritime security, disaster and crisis prevention, and crime prevention.
Welcoming the EU's cooperation strategies and initiatives with the Indo-Pacific region, the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge between the EU and the region, including strengthening the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.
The high-ranking representative congratulated President To Lam on being elected by the Vietnamese National Assembly to the position of President; expressed his impression of Vietnam's achievements in Doi Moi; highly appreciated Vietnam's balanced foreign policy, supporting Vietnam's development goals of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045 and carbon neutral by 2050.
Affirming that the EU considers Vietnam a leading partner in the region, one of the important subjects of current and future international relations, Mr. Borell said that the EU is strongly implementing a number of cooperation strategies and initiatives, including cooperation projects with ASEAN and in Vietnam within the framework of the EU's Global Gateway Initiative, hoping to upgrade the Vietnam - EU relationship to a new level.
Providing information on the situation in Vietnam, the President emphasized that Vietnam's socio-economic achievements are to serve the people; affirmed that the Vietnamese State considers people as the center and driving force for sustainable socio-economic development; the government is of the people, by the people and for the people; all people in Vietnam are guaranteed the right to freedom of religion, belief and non-religion, belief, and have wide access to the Internet, social networks, etc.
Agreeing with the assessments and recommendations of President To Lam, Mr. Josep Borrell expressed his belief that under the President's guidance, the Vietnam - EU relationship will increasingly develop strongly and extensively, for the benefit of both sides.
Discussing international and regional issues, the two sides agreed that countries need to be responsible for contributing to security and development in the region and the world; conflicts need to be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the UN Charter. Regarding the East Sea issue, the EU High Representative emphasized the important role of the East Sea in international trade; the two sides affirmed to continue supporting the assurance of security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, contributing to strengthening peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/pho-chu-tich-ec-mong-muon-nang-cap-quan-he-viet-nam-eu-len-tam-cao-moi.html
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