EU asked to soon remove yellow card on Vietnamese seafood

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) receives Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA).

During the reception, the top Vietnamese legislator congratulated Lange on his re-appointment as head of the INTA, applauding his positive contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament, thereby helping further augment comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).

Vietnam is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia to sign agreements with the EU. The Vietnamese National Assembly always supports the cooperation between the two sides, Ngan said while hoping that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will be approved by both sides at the earliest possible time.

The country treasures and desires to bolster the comprehensive cooperation with the EU, especially in economics and trade. Therefore, it will fully and seriously realize the commitments in the two agreements, including those relevant to sustainable development, Ngan told his guest.

The two leaders also underscored the need to further strengthen information and dialogue between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the EP in order to set up a relevant group that monitors the implementation of these trade deals.

Ngan affirmed Vietnam's readiness to answer questions and deal with recommendations made by the EU as well as the EP.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA).

The signing and ratification of many legal documents and regular mutual visits by leaders in the first half of this year indicate the prioritisation of bilateral ties in each side’s foreign policy, and this creates a firm foundation and opens up new prospects for stronger Vietnam-EU relations, Ngan said.

Regarding the EU’s yellow card, the Vietnamese NA leader emphasized that Vietnam's consistent stance is to promote responsible and sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources in line with the provisions of international law, including the prevention of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) exploitation.

On the occasion, she asked the EU to soon consider removing its yellow card on Vietnamese seafood products.

For his part, Lange said during the INTA delegation’s working visit to Vietnam, they had a meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and learnt that this ministry is working with relevant agencies to build a plan for implementing the EVFTA and EVIPA to ensure the full and effective implementation of the deals after they are adopted.

At the meeting, the two sides shared the view that on the basis of the fruitful cooperation and with an open dialogue mechanism, Vietnam and the EU will push ahead with closer coordination and offer mutual support during the ratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA.

The INTA Chairman stated his appreciation for the Vietnam National Assembly's efforts to revise the Labor Code to meet the International Labor Standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). He expressed his wish that the Vietnamese legislative body will consider and approve the Labor Code project (revised) at this session as it is an important basis for the EP to consider and ratify the agreements in order to create an equal playing field for stakeholders.

Lange also acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in realizing its commitments to responsible and sustainable fishing over the recent past.