Seminar discusses Vietnam-EU agreement
(VOV) - The signing of a partnership and co-operation agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the European Union last June will open the door to a multitude of ties between the two sides, participants said at a seminar in Hanoi on October 23.
"I believe the agreement will enhance relations between the two sides in future in all aspects of politics, economy and co-operation," Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said, adding that the PCA will also boost co-operation in addressing global issues.
These included protecting international peace and security, counter terrorism, organised crime, money laundering and coping with climate change.
The Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Franz Jessen, said that the new PCA demonstrated the EU’s commitment forging an upgraded, broader and more mature partnership with Vietnam, a partner willing to take on increasing responsibilities on the world scene - and an active and central actor in ASEAN.
"I hope this agreement will soon be complemented by an ambitious EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement," he said. "The first round of negotiations was recently held in Hanoi."
The Head of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry's EU Affairs Department, Tran Ngoc An, said that in 2005 Vietnam was the first country in Southeast Asia to have a strategic plan for relations with the EU.
"The PCA, however, will have to go through a separate rectification process by the 27 EU member states and the European Parliament. The process can last for a couple of years," An said.