Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long receives Josep Borrell Fontelles, EC Vice President and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in Hanoi on July 30 (Photo: VOV)

Long thanked Borrell Fontelles, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from July 29 to 31, for coming to pay the last respects to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, which reflects the importance the EU attaches to the deceased’s contributions to Vietnam - EU relations.

He noted that the EU is one of the leading partners of Vietnam. With common efforts, the bilateral ties are developing well, from traditional fields like politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, and development cooperation to new areas, including defence - security and climate change response, within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

The EU is currently the top supplier of non-refundable aid, the fourth largest trading partner, and the fifth biggest investor in Vietnam, which in turn ranks first among ASEAN trading partners of the EU. The two sides have also worked actively together in such areas as defence - security, justice, labour, agriculture, science - technology, and environment to reap many practical results. Among them, a highlight is the cooperation in climate change response, says Mr. Long.

The Deputy PM suggested the EU continue increasing all-level delegation exchanges, especially those at high levels, to enhance political trust, creating a stepping stone for partnerships in other spheres. He also delivered PM Pham Minh Chinh’s congratulatory letter to the EC President and invited the latter to pay a visit to Vietnam in the near future.

Long proposed both sides to coordinate to fruitfully enforce the EU - Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as other cooperation deals and mechanisms on the threshold of the 35th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.

He also called on the EU to promote its remaining member countries’ ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the EC’s early removal of the “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports on the basis of the country’s efforts and achievements in the combat against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Borrell Fontelles highly valued Vietnam’s development achievements along with growing role and position in the region and at multilateral forums.

The EU views Vietnam as a priority and important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, he said, adding that it hopes the two sides will elevate the bilateral relations and enhance connections in defence - security, climate change response, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) implementation, justice, and the fight against IUU fishing, he added.

Appreciating the EU’s projects that have helped with Vietnam’s socio-economic development and integration into the world, Long proposed the EU maintain the provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in the fields of public governance capacity building, green transition, digital transformation, sustainable fishery development, financial and technological support, and manpower training to help the country effectively carry out the JETP.

At the meeting, the two sides also touched upon some international issues of shared concern. They agreed that conflicts must be resolved by peaceful means on the basis on international law. Regarding the East Sea issue, they shared the stance that disputes in the East Sea should be settled peacefully in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thus helping to guarantee security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight and consolidate peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.