Viet Nam highly values the important role and position of the European Union (EU) in the region and the world, and wishes to further boost the comprehensive cooperation between the two sides.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the working session (Source: Internet)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement at a working session on September 21 with Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Viet Nam , and ambassadors of EU member countries in Hanoi.

Minh said he is delighted at the positive development of the Viet Nam -EU relationship, especially both sides’ efforts to conclude legal reviews towards the official signing of the EU-Viet Nam  Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

He suggested Bruno Angelet and ambassadors of EU member countries work to develop the comprehensive partnership and cooperation between Viet Nam  and the EU as well as its member nations in a practical and effective manner in the time to come.

He expressed his wish that the EU countries will support Viet Nam ’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

The official affirmed that Viet Nam  has been making every effort to deal with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and proposed the EU soon remove its “yellow card” warning to Viet Nam ’s fisheries sector.

For his part, Bruno Angelet said Viet Nam  occupies a high place in EU's external policy and affirmed that he and the ambassadors of the EU member countries will try their best to deepen the Viet Nam -EU cooperation, particularly pushing for the early signing of the EVFTA and bringing it into effect.

At the working session, Deputy PM Minh openly exchanged ideas with the EU ambassadors on priorities in Viet Nam ’s foreign policy as well as regional and international issues of common concern such as traditional and non-traditional security matters, sustainable development, promotion of human rights, and maintenance of peace, stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

(Source: VNA/ DA NANG Today)