(VOVworld) - Vietnam and the European Union (EU) boast substantial potential for cooperation, especially after the two will officially sign and realize their bilateral free trade agreement, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. He told visiting European Commissioner for International Co-operation and Development Neven Mimica in Hanoi on Tuesday that Vietnam wishes to continue the equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU in all areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (L) and his guest (Source: baochinhphu.vn)

Hailing the working visit to Vietnam by Neven Mimica and the outcomes of his meetings with Vietnamese agencies, PM Dung thanked the EU for its continued official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam. Mimica highlighted EU’s cooperation with Vietnam, saying he believes that the bilateral ties will develop intensively and extensively across economics, trade, investment, development cooperation, politics, the environment, and climate change combat. He said the EU promises and is resolved to closely cooperate with Vietnam, its big and important partner. Neven Mimica said the early ratification of the Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation and the signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement will create a basis for the two sides to push their relationship forward.