Vietnam asks European Council to support removing yellow card on seafood

The Prime Minister hopes that the European Council will have a say so that the EC can soon remove the yellow card on fisheries and support Vietnam in transforming into a modern and sustainable fisheries development model.

Receiving President of the European Council Charles Michel within the framework of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan today, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Council to urge the parliaments of member countries to ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). This is the basis for creating a breakthrough in investment cooperation between the two sides, in addition to the Vietnam - EU Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which has been implemented since 2020.

The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that the European Council would have a say so that the European Commission (EC) would soon remove the IUU yellow card on exported seafood and support Vietnam in transforming into a modern and sustainable fisheries development model. Once the yellow card on seafood is removed, it will ensure the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and meet the interests of EU consumers.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President of the European Council Charles Michel within the framework of the expanded G7 Summit on May 20 in Hiroshima, Japan. Photo: Doan Bac — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President of the European Council Charles Michel within the framework of the expanded G7 Summit on May 20 in Hiroshima, Japan. Photo: *Doan Bac*

The President of the European Council acknowledged the progress that both sides have made in resolving the yellow card issue for fisheries. Mr. Charles Michel also highly appreciated Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts and hoped that Vietnam would continue to support the EU in strengthening relations with ASEAN.

In 2017, Vietnam was given a yellow card warning by the EC for failing to comply with regulations against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This means that Vietnamese seafood exported to the EU will be subject to 100% control instead of random inspection, causing businesses to incur more costs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is in Japan to attend the 49th G7 Summit on May 20-21. This is the third time Vietnam has attended this summit and the second time at the invitation of Japan. This year, Vietnam is one of two Southeast Asian countries invited by Japan, along with Indonesia.

The 49th G7 Summit is part of the G7 Summit on May 19-22. The G7 includes advanced industrialized nations the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Italy, playing an important role in shaping and strengthening global governance and structure.

Hoai Thu

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