(VOVworld)- The third deputy ministerial political consultation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) was held in Hanoi on Tuesday. Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS) David O’Sullivan co-chaired the event.

The two sides discussed measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from politics-diplomacy, security-defence, and justice to economics, trade, investment and agriculture. They also exchanged views on several regional and global issues of common concern such as ASEAN-EU cooperation, Vietnam-EU cooperation in the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the East Sea issue, and climate change. Both sides agreed on the need to continue increasing the exchange of all-level delegations, consultations and viewpoint coordination. They affirmed their political determination to conclude negotiations for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) prior to the 10th ASEM Summit in Milan, Italy, this October and to closely collaborate with each other to ensure the success of the summit. Deputy Minister Son suggested that the EU speed up the ratification of the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and recognize the market economy status of Vietnam before negotiations for the EVFTA are completed. He said that Vietnam, as the ASEAN-EU Coordinator, will do everything it can to foster the comprehensive development of the cooperation between the two blocs.