Proposal to establish a Working Group to handle difficulties in Vietnam-EU cooperation

EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic proposed that Vietnam and the EU establish a specialized working group to handle difficulties in cooperation between the two sides, including removing the "IUU yellow card."

On September 26, at the Government Office, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son received the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic and the EU delegation who are visiting and working in Vietnam.

Welcoming EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and his delegation to visit and work in Vietnam on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the EU and the 5th anniversary of the implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son believes that the working trip will contribute to further promoting the Vietnam-EU relationship in general and in the economic and trade fields in particular.

Affirming that the EU is an important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at the recent good results in cooperation between the two countries in many fields.

The two sides have established and effectively implemented eight periodic dialogue mechanisms, many cooperation agreements and close coordination at multilateral forums; the frequency of delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels has been increased through all channels.

Cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, investment, science and technology, national defense and security, environment and climate, education and training, culture and tourism, development cooperation, etc. has achieved many substantive results.

Informing the High Commissioner about the situation, orientation and development goals of Vietnam, the Deputy Prime Minister said that Vietnam has just celebrated the 50th anniversary of national reunification, 80 years of independence and is preparing for the 14th National Party Congress, preparing to summarize 40 years of renovation.

Currently, Vietnam's economic scale ranks 32nd in the world; its trade scale is in the top 20 in the world.

Vietnam has issued and implemented many strategic policies and decisions to create a turning point to "turn the situation around and change the state," striving to become a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030; and to become a developed country with high income by 2045.

Welcoming the two sides' active discussions on upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the EU continue to strengthen political trust through delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels; that the EU President soon visit Vietnam; that the EU soon send feedback on the draft Joint Statement on upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that Vietnam has given to the EU; that the remaining EU member states soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and effectively implement the EVFTA; and that the "IUU yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood products be soon removed.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son received the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Along with that, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the EU continue to provide practical support for the process of building the ASEAN Community, more closely linking the ASEAN-EU Action Plans with ASEAN cooperation strategies; continue to have a strong voice, supporting the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to ensuring peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.

EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic thanked Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son for taking the time to receive the delegation; he said that he had just had a very effective working session with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. The two sides reached many consensuses on promoting trade, especially on more effectively exploiting the EVFTA Agreement that the two sides have signed.

Appreciating Vietnam's innovation and development process, High Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said that the EU always supports, accompanies and wishes Vietnam to develop quickly and sustainably, achieving the set goals; and requested Vietnam to continue reforming and simplifying administrative procedures, promoting the progress of processing import and investment dossiers from the EU to Vietnam.

Proposing that the two sides establish a specialized working group to handle difficulties in cooperation between the two sides, including removing the "IUU yellow card"; at the same time, the two sides need to build a cooperation strategy to fully exploit the potential and strengths of each side such as science, technology, semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, 5G, aviation, logistics, etc., EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic invited a representative of the Vietnamese Government to attend the EU's "Global Gateway Initiative" to be held in France in the near future.

Agreeing to set up a joint working group to address issues of mutual concern, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son said he would direct relevant Vietnamese agencies to urgently coordinate with relevant EU agencies to thoroughly address issues of mutual concern; requested the EU to pay attention to promoting activities within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), helping Vietnam promptly meet its commitments to bring net zero emissions by 2050 and effectively implement JETP projects.

Emphasizing that the Vietnamese Government is committed to improving preferential policies, protecting intellectual property and training high-quality human resources to attract high-value-added technology projects, the Deputy Prime Minister wishes to cooperate with the EU through research cooperation, technology transfer and support for startups in the fields of semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, 5G, aviation and high-tech development... in the spirit of "harmonized benefits and shared risks."

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son invited the EU representative to attend the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime, which will take place in October./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/de-xuat-thanh-lap-to-cong-tac-xu-ly-cac-vuong-mac-trong-hop-tac-viet-nam-eu-post1064295.vnp