(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is a model of successful cooperation between the European Union and Southeast Asia in trade, climate change response, and environmental protection. As an ASEAN member who has cooperated with the EU in politics, economics, defense, and security, Vietnam has been and will be a bridge between ASEAN and the EU to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in the coming years.
Vietnam and the EU have promoted high-level visits and meetings and signed several cooperation agreements which lay a foundation for an effective and substantive partnership that benefits both sides.
Vietnam has become one of the Asian countries with the most comprehensive and extensive relations with the EU, and the only ASEAN country that shares all pillars of cooperation with the bloc.
The two sides are now enjoying many opportunities and advantages to strengthen comprehensive cooperation. It’s a golden time for Vietnam to become a bridge for EU cooperation with ASEAN.
According to research by the University of Economics, Hanoi National University, Vietnam leads in two-way trade with the EU. In their paper, the research team called on the EU to help ASEAN improve capacity and product standards, and promote cooperation with ASEAN through the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and the EU's Global Gateway program. Vietnam will work closely with ASEAN countries to promote the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership. ASEAN-EU relations still have much untapped potential and both sides attach importance to multilateralism.
Despite differences in organizations, institutions, culture, and language, the two sides have promoted cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
According to European politicians, analysts, and businesses, Vietnam plays an important role in the relationship between the EU and ASEAN. Senator Andries Gryffroy, First Deputy Speaker of the Belgian Senate, said the Vietnamese economy is an important link in the supply chain and economic value of ASEAN, with the advantages of a stable macro environment, a dynamic economy, an expanding market, stable politics, and a consistent economic development policy.
While attending the Global Gateway Forum in Belgium last week Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha met Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Mr. Ha said Vietnam is ready to be a bridge between the EU and Southeast Asia and wants to closely coordinate to implement the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership.