Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Minister of Foreign Trade and Development of Finland Ville Tapani Tavio. Photo: VGP/Minh Ngoc

At the meeting with the EC Vice President, Son proposed that the two sides increase delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, while effectively deploying cooperation mechanisms between ministries and sectors.

He expressed his belief that the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) after taking effect will open up opportunities for trade and investment cooperation for the business communities of both sides, especially in the environment, green transformation, digital transformation, and circular economy.

Son asked the European Commission to soon remove the IUU "Yellow Card" imposed on Vietnam's seafood exports, thereby contributing to supporting Vietnam's sustainable fisheries development.

Schinas said he believes that the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the EU has many advantages to improve in the new period. He said the EU wishes to strengthen effective relations with Vietnam in areas where the EU is taking the lead, especially green transition, environment and response to climate change.

At the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development of Finland, Deputy Prime Minister Son proposed that the two sides promote close relationships between ministries, sectors and businesses to maximize benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and promote the growth of trade turnover.

He highly appreciated the Finnish Parliament's ratification of the EVIPA Agreement to create cooperation opportunities for the two countries' business communities and proposed that the two sides expand cooperation in potential fields, such as high technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, environment, water resource treatment, and forest management.

Minister Tavio affirmed that Finland wants to deepen cooperation with Vietnam, especially on climate, green transformation is an area in which Finnish businesses have a lot of experience and have been present in Vietnam for a long time. He also agreed that the two sides will expand cooperation in education and training.