EU expects to continue becoming biggest donor of Vietnam in 2010

The European Union (EU) pledged to remain fully engaged in international efforts to increase the aid effectiveness through better coordination and harmonisation of development cooperation activities with other sponsors and member countries in Vietnam, said Sean Doyle, ambassador and head of delegation of the EU when delivering the annual report on EU development cooperation in Vietnam.

Sean Doyle also announced the latest decision to fund the Annual Action Plan 2010 for Vietnam with 62.25 million euro for three priority actions. This is the largest programme that the European Commission has committed with Vietnamese government so far.

The top priority action included support for ethnic minorities through Programme 135 worth 12 million euro, the first phase of health sector budget support of 39.25 million euro and the Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme of 11 million euro.

At present, EU was still Vietnam’s key partner that has provide largest support for the country’s socioeconomic development cause and the largest non-refundable sponsor up to now.

Sean Doyle confirmed that the EU’s funding programme for developing countries was set up for entire period of seven years (2007-2013), therefore despite the impacts from economic downturn and EU’s public debt crisis, EU committed to maintain its aid to Vietnam at scheduled level from now to 2013.

During the past three years, Vietnamese government has managed the country’s economy, despite the negative effects global economic recession. The head of European Commission showed his optimism on Vietnamese economic development prospects.

Addressing the question from Vietnamese reporter about whether EU would extend the anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnam-made bicycles being exported to EU markets, Sean Doyle stated that the EU was still in consideration progress. He hoped that Vietnam would get exemption from this policy soon.

CafeF

Tags: Vietnam EU cooperation