New Year meeting with EU diplomats
(VOV) -Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son extolled the positive developments of the Vietnam-EU cooperation over the past 25 years at a January 13 New Year meeting in Hanoi with ambassadors and charged’ affairs from the EU nations.
The event hosted by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affair and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) opened a broad array of activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam-EU diplomatic relations (1990-2015).
In his speech, Son hailed the effective cooperation and support the EU and member states have given to Vietnam during the process of its national development and international integration.
He also thanked the EU diplomats for their remarkable contributions to fortify and develop the Vietnam – EU ties.
On the occasion, Son also extended condolences to the families of victims of the recent terror attack on the weekly Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters in Paris while affirming Vietnam’s desire to forge closer cooperation with the EU in a bid to ensure peace, security, stability and development in the region and the world at large.
Son expressed his belief that with the support and close cooperation of EU ambassadors, both sides would fulfill major tasks set for this year, including finalizing the ratification of the Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation Framework Agreement (PCA), realizing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and recognizing the market economy status of Vietnam after the two sides concluded their negotiations.
EU Ambassador in Vietnam Franz Jessen, in turn, applauded Vietnam’s outstanding achievements in socio-economic development and the vigorous growth of the Vietnam-EU relations in recent times. He reiterated the EU’s recognition of high importance to cooperation with Vietnam- one of the EU’s key partners in the Asia – Pacific region.
The EU will join efforts with Vietnam to push up cooperative relations in a more substantial, effective and comprehensive manner, especially after the pair complete the ratification and signing of the PCA and EVFTA, the EU diplomat said.
In his statement, VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Van Dung asserted his agency’s willingness to work cohesively with ministries, organizations and partners to enhance cooperation and connections, contributing the development of the Vietnam – EU economic and trade links.
Vietnamese enterprises expressed their desire to learn about and take advantage of business opportunities for cooperation with European partners and called for more support from the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, VCCI and embassies to promote trade with the potential market.