At the event. (Photo: VNA) Brussels (VNA) – The European Union (EU)always attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam,considering the country an important partner of the EU in the region, EuropeanCommission President Ursula von der Leyen hassaid.
She made the statement on July 15 at a reception for AmbassadorNguyen Van Thao, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the EU, who presented hiscredentials.
Von der Leyen said the two sides will also continue to coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, in line with the EU Strategy on strengtheningrelations with the Indo-Pacific Region.
The Ambassador presented the priorities during his term, focusing on promoting cooperation on four main pillars.
Trade and investment will be enhanced alongwith promoting the effectiveness of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA), especially in the context of the volatile world and regional situationswith high risks of supply chain disruption and food security issues.
The ambassador noted that despite the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU lastyear and the first five months of this year still recorded impressive growth. He hoped that the EU would continue to encourage more diversifiedeconomic cooperation and increase investment in Vietnam, especially inimportant fields such as sustainable development, green and circular economy,logistics and modern infrastructure.
The second pillar is cooperation in responding to climate change. Thao affirmed that Vietnam places a highpriority on and is determined to deliver on its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), striving toachieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, suggesting that thetwo sides enhance collaboration in this field because this is also an area ofgreat concern and high priority for the EU.
Cooperation between Vietnam and EU in green energy andsustainable energy transition is another priority. The ambassador saidthat Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the G7's considering the establishment of a Just EnergyTransition Partnership (JETP) with Vietnam, which is coordinated by the UK andthe EU. Energy transitionis important to the successful implementation of Vietnam's socio-economicdevelopment strategy in the coming period, and will create a milestone inVietnam-EU relations, he said.
Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao presented his credentials to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Photo: VNA) Attention will be paid to collaboration between Vietnam and EUin other important areas. The ambassador said he highly appreciates the EU’sissuance of many important strategies, including the Cooperation Strategy withthe Indo-Pacific region, which reflects that the bloc attaches great importanceto the region’s role.
Vietnam will continue to work closely with theEU on the basis of mutual benefits, for peace, stability, cooperation anddevelopment in the region and around the world, Thao said.
𒊎 The EC President agreed with the cooperationpriorities proposed by the Vietnamese Ambassador, saying that these are alsoareas the EU values and promotes in the coming time, especially trade andinvestment promotion, the establishment of JETP and response to climate change./.
