General Secretary and President To Lam meets with EC President and Ukrainian President Zelensky
Báo Thanh niên•25/09/2024
On the afternoon of September 24 (local time), in New York (USA), General Secretary and President To Lam met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
At the meeting with President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation. General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote EU cooperation with countries in the region through the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership framework.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
PHOTO: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam was pleased to note that after nearly four years of implementation, the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created a new momentum for bilateral trade, making Vietnam the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the EU the fourth largest trading partner of Vietnam, and EU investment in Vietnam has also increased. The EU is currently the fifth largest investor in Vietnam. The General Secretary and President suggested that both sides continue to effectively implement the EVFTA, prioritizing the removal of obstacles in opening markets for goods from both sides, including the EC's early removal of the yellow card and continued support for Vietnam in implementing solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. According to the General Secretary and President, the two sides proposed to promote cooperation in the fields of defense - security and prevention of cross-border organized crime, especially high-tech crime; The EU continues to strengthen cooperation and support Vietnam in protecting the environment, responding to climate change, enhancing public governance capacity, developing a green and circular economy, especially providing maximum support to Vietnam in terms of capital, technology, and human resource training to fulfill its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and effectively implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) as well as adapting to the EU's new regulations on the environment and sustainable development. The EC President affirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU's key partners in implementing the Cooperation Strategy with the Indo-Pacific region; suggested that the two sides soon upgrade their relations, creating a basis for promoting cooperation in all fields to become more in-depth, substantive, and effective in the coming time. Agreeing with the proposals of General Secretary and President To Lam, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen affirmed that the EU will closely coordinate with Vietnam in effectively implementing existing agreements and exchange mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, defense - security, development cooperation, education - training, innovation, cultural exchange, etc., strengthen coordination to address global challenges; strengthen cooperation and support Vietnam in protecting the environment, responding to climate change, effectively implementing JETP, and cooperating within the framework of the Global Gateway Initiative. Regarding the situation in the East Sea, the two sides agreed to emphasize that disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with international law , especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), contributing to ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and consolidating peace, stability and prosperity in the entire region. At the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership framework with Ukraine; always remembers the wholehearted support and assistance that the people of the Soviet Union, including Ukraine, have given to Vietnam in the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past as well as in the country's development today.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
PHOTO: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam expressed concern about the current conflict situation; called for an end to the conflict, restoration of peace, protection of security and safety of people and essential infrastructure. He reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent stance that all disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, including respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, not using force or threatening to use force, taking into account the legitimate interests of the parties concerned, and avoiding causing losses to civilians. General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam welcomes and supports international mediation efforts to seek a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict, with the participation of all parties concerned, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter. As an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is ready to contribute to the process of promoting dialogue and finding solutions to soon stabilize the situation, for peace and stability in the region and the world. The General Secretary and President emphasized that when the conflict ends, Vietnam is ready to join the international community in supporting the reconstruction in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine highly appreciated Vietnam's stance and thanked the State and people of Vietnam for providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine; he hoped that Vietnam would support the declaration of the first peace conference in Switzerland, as well as help Ukraine in mine clearance and overcoming the consequences of the conflict. President Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine always ensures the safety of the Vietnamese community and the Vietnamese Embassy in Kiev.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
PHOTO: VNA
The two sides shared the need to maintain and promote bilateral cooperation through contacts and delegation exchanges at all levels; and seek effective and appropriate measures to maintain and soon restore bilateral trade exchanges. General Secretary and President To Lam thanked Ukraine for its support in ensuring the safety and evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine and hoped that the Ukrainian government would continue to support in ensuring the safety of lives and property of Vietnamese citizens and businesses living and working in Ukraine.
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