(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is a priority partner of the EU in Southeast Asia, said Rafael De Bustamante, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
 Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on December 16 hosted a reception for ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of the European Union (EU) in Vietnam on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam – EU diplomatic relations. (Photo: VGP) |
Speaking at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in Hanoi on Tuesday, the EU diplomat expressed hope that the Vietnam–EU relations would soon be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He pledged continued cooperation with Vietnam in various areas and strengthen the EVFTA implementation, transport infrastructure projects, green and digital transitions, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and sustainable development.
 Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and EU Ambassador and Chargé d'affaires in Vietnam at the reception (Photo: VGP) |
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said since the signing of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in 2019, bilateral trade has grown steadily at 10–15% annually. Total EU foreign direct investment in Vietnam has exceeded 30 billion USD, making the EU the fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market, and sixth-largest investor of Vietnam.
He emphasized that Vietnam and the EU can complement each other in economy and trade, science and technology, climate change response, culture, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.
Regarding maritime cooperation, Vietnam expressed its desire to strengthen cooperation with partners, including the EU, with priorities on marine environmental protection, the marine economy, responsible fisheries exploitation, and the fight against IUU fishing.