Hanoi wants to learn more from the European Union (EU)'s expertise in building a green, circular economy and advancing smart infrastructure development, said Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh at a meeting with EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier today [November 22] in Hanoi.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. Photo: The Hanoi Times

During the meeting, Guerrier mentioned that, having visited Vietnam multiple times before taking up his post, he acknowledged the positive transformations the country has undergone over the past nearly 30 years.

"Hanoi is one of the cities with an impressive pace of development, yet it still retains its unique charm and historic features," said the Ambassador.
Guerrier expressed his gratitude to the Hanoi authorities for supporting and facilitating cultural and economic programs recently organized by the EU in the city. He also conveyed his hope for continued collaboration and support from Hanoi in upcoming exchanges and promotional activities to achieve positive outcomes.

Stressing the EU's willingness to share experiences and help Hanoi and Vietnam achieve sustainable development goals, especially in combating climate change and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, Guerrier proposed joint efforts to expedite the implementation of various aspects of the urban railway project.

He suggested establishing a Joint Steering Committee to monitor progress and meet periodically to ensure adherence to the planned schedule and quality.

Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, echoed Ambassador Julien Guerrier's sentiments, highlighting the deep and extensive development of the relationship between Vietnam and the EU in recent years through cooperation frameworks such as the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Providing an overview of the city's recent socio-economic situation, Thanh stated that Hanoi is contemplating adjusting the Capital's General Planning to 2045, with a vision to 2065 towards a green, clean, and modern model. "Therefore, in the future, Hanoi will continue to learn from the EU's experience in building a green, circular economy and developing smart infrastructure."

Thanh also expressed the city's desire for increased EU investment cooperation in education and training across all levels. Regarding the Ambassador's proposal on urban railway projects, Thanh pledged to speed up the process and work with EU investors to ensure timely implementation.