Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (right) and Daniel Caspary (left), who led the European Parliament (EP)’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) in Hanoi on June 20 (Photo: Quang Hoa/Baoquocte.vn).

Welcoming DASE delegation to Vietnam, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang rejoiced at active developments of the relations between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) and its member countries across spheres, from politics-diplomacy to trade, investment and development cooperation, reported from

Stressing that the EU is now Vietnam’s fifth biggest trade and investment partner, and largest non-refundable aid supplier, Hang reaffirmed that Vietnam and the EU have reached many important agreements, creating frameworks for them to promote their bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

The hosted suggested the EP and DASE parliamentarians in particular continue their support for the enhancement of the Vietnam-EU relations in the time ahead, with priorities given to high-level delegation exchange, the implementation of cooperation mechanisms as well as commitments in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Also, the expansion of cooperation in the areas of the EU’s strengths and Vietnam’s demand should be focus on energy transition and climate change response.

Daniel Caspary (left), who led the European Parliament (EP)’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) visiting Vietnam from June 19-21(Photo: Dai Bieu Quoc Hoi).

Hang proposed EP parliamentarians urge legislatures of the EU member countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, stressing the country’s efforts in seriously and fully observing the EC’s recommendations regarding the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In response, Daniel Caspary, who led the DASE delegation, hailed Vietnam’s role and position in the region and for the EU. He agreed with Hang on the importance of the EVFTA to the bilateral trade, and agreed to urge the EU member countries to soon ratify the EVIPA in order to benefit and open up new cooperation opportunities for businesses of both sides.

Both sides agreed to contribute to enhance EU-Vietnam cooperation in the time ahead, especially in political dialogues, trade, investment, and just energy transition.

Another important goals is to pay close attention to regional and international issues of shared concern, and emphasized the significance of international law and respect for the UN Charter, noted the host and the guest.

On the matter of freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea/South China Sea, both sides showed their support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

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