Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service Niclas Kvarnström co-chair the fifth meeting of the Vietnam-EU Joint Committee within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Hanoi on October 22. Photo: dangcongsan.vn

At the meeting within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), Hang described the EU as one of Vietnam's most important economic and development partners, highlighting that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing the comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU as well as relations with the bloc's member states.

She urged the EU to encourage the parliaments of certain member states to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), acknowledge Vietnam's efforts to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing toward lifting the yellow card warning on Vietnam's seafood exports.

The EU side spoke highly of Vietnam's increasingly significant role and position in the region and at multilateral forums, affirming that Vietnam is a priority partner of the EU in the Asia-Pacific.

It wished to elevate the bilateral relationship to a new height, continue assisting Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), enhance collaboration in emerging areas such as clean technology, digital transformation, high technology, including semiconductor and artificial intelligence, raw materials and innovation, within the framework of regional cooperative initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, especially those at high level, to mark the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic ties in 2025; broaden collaboration in national defense-security, agriculture and environment, as well as in new cooperation fields.
They affirmed their commitment to actively work together to address existing regulatory issues and fully implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Both sides agreed on the need to continue promoting and lift their relationship to a new height, commensurate with their potential and standing.
Regarding the East Sea issue, they expressed concern over recent developments and reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. They stressed that all parties must adhere to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and affirmed their support for the early completion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).