EU is Vietnam’s priority partner, says Deputy PM

Vietnam considers the EU a priority partner in its foreign policy and wants to build an equal partnership of long-term and comprehensive cooperation with the EU for peace, development in the region and the world.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai made the confirmation during talks with European Union Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht in Brussels on June 18.

Both host and guest shared the view that Vietnam-EU relations are developing well in all areas, from politics to economics, trade, culture, education and science and technology. They suggested that both sides maintain regular high-level visit exchanges to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.

They discussed preparations for the upcoming EU visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung scheduled for this October as part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the EU.

They placed great emphasis on negotiations of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU, saying this document will lay a firm foundation for increasing bilateral cooperation in the next 10-15 years. They said both sides should show strong political commitments to finalise negotiations and initial the document during Mr Dung’s visit later this year.

Mr Hai and Mr Karel exchanged measures to boost cooperation in economics, trade and investment in the coming months.

Mr Hai welcomed a EU proposal to kick-start free trade area (FTA) negotiations with Vietnam and confirmed that his government will work closely with the EU to speed up technical preparations for negotiations.

He proposed that the EU consider granting the generalised system of preferences (GSP) to Vietnam again and that it abolish anti-dumping tariffs on leather shoes and bicycles imported from Vietnam and soon recognise its market economy status. -VOV

Tags: Vietnam EU cooperation