Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Niclas Kvarnström, Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), co-chaired the fifth Vietnam-EU Joint Committee meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday.
During a meeting held under the framework of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), Hang emphasized the EU’s position as one of Vietnam’s most critical economic and development partners. She reaffirmed that Vietnam highly values its comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU, as well as its relations with individual EU member states.
Hang called on the EU to encourage the parliaments of certain member states to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). She also acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, urging the EU to recognize these efforts and move toward lifting the yellow card warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
The EU side praised Vietnam’s growing significance in the region and at multilateral forums, affirming that Vietnam remains a priority partner for the EU in the Asia-Pacific. The EU expressed its desire to elevate the bilateral relationship, pledging continued support for Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). It also highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation in emerging fields such as clean technology, digital transformation, high technology (including semiconductors and artificial intelligence), raw materials, and innovation, within the framework of initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative.
Both parties agreed to step up delegation exchanges, especially high-level visits, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2025. They also committed to expanding cooperation in defense and security, agriculture, the environment, and other new areas of collaboration. Furthermore, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolve regulatory issues and fully implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
On the East Sea issue, both parties expressed concern over recent developments. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. Both sides called for all parties to adhere to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and expressed support for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
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Source: Vietnam Insider