Vietnam,EU expect early implementation of EVFTA,EVIPA

At the event (Photo: the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung and Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni co-chaired the first meeting of the political affairs sub-committee of the Joint Committee under the EU-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement (PCA) in Hanoi on February 17.

The event was held following the European Parliament’s ratification of the two agreements on February 12, with about 40 delegates from the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EEAS, the EU Delegation and the embassies of EU member countries in Vietnam in attendance.

The two delegation heads expressed their delight at positive developments of the Vietnam-EU relations over the past three decades, with the realization of outcomes of the first meeting of the Joint Committee in Hanoi last May, and voiced their hope for deepened comprehensive cooperation in the time ahead. Dung suggested both sides intensify all-level delegation exchanges and work together to hold numerous activities marking the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties.

He also called on the EU to remove the “yellow card” warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

The two sides also discussed priorities and specific measures to bolster cooperation between Vietnam and the EU across a variety of fields, alongside regional and international issues of shared concern.

With regard to the East Sea issue, they underlined that disputes must be settled by peaceful measures, in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They support the maintenance of security and safety of navigation and aviation, and respect for law in the East Sea, and stressed ASEAN’s increasing important role in keeping regional peace and stability.

Vietnam hailed the EU’s efforts to improve the efficiency of global governance and regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, the EU greatly valued Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements as well as its position in the region, wished for further coordination to promote ASEAN-EU and EU-Vietnam relations, and concurred to step up collaboration in global issues, thus contributing to peace and development in the region and the world as a whole.