Bilateral relations between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) have made great gains in the last two years despite severe impacts of the pandemic and disrupted global supply chain, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said on September 8.

Seafoods are processed to export to the the EU markets. Photo: The Hanoi Times

In his remarks to welcome the visit of Bernd Lange and the delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA), Hue said Vietnam-EU relations are growing stronger in the fields of politics, foreign relations, security and defense, trade, economics and investment, especially after the coming into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Trading activities between the two sides have actually increased in the past two years, he said, adding that though the EVIPA is not ratified by all EU members, more and more European investors have shown their interests in Vietnamese assets.

The NA chairman hailed the efforts of INTA and Chairman Bernd Lange during the negotiation, ratification and execution of the EVFTA. Hue also urged the two sides to review the implementation of the EVFTA, discuss solutions for further improvements, and accelerate the ratification of the EVIPA.

Hue recommended the EU help develop a secure, peaceful environment for the region, further enhance the relationship with Vietnam and other ASEAN nations, support Vietnam in the country's  bid for the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2023-2025...

The NA chairman also called for stronger EU-Vietnam cooperation in energy development and climate change response, thus assisting Vietnam to fulfill its commitments made at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Additionally, Hue said Vietnam and the EU should strengthen cooperation in digital transformation that suits the policies of the two sides, and discuss and resolve issues in import-export activities,especially Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports.

Vietnam is taking drastic measures to comply with the international rules on aquacultural exploitation, but the country needs support from its partners including the EU, he said, suggesting the EU assess Vietnam’s efforts and remove the “yellow card” on Vietnam's fishery exports.

Amid the difficulties of the world economy, chairman Hue said that Vietnam highly appreciates its cooperation with the EU and expects the tie will grow stronger.

He urged the two sides to discuss the recovery of the supply chain, post-pandemic economic recovery, food security, and energy price stability on the basis of mutual respect, trust and confidence.

For his part, INTA chairman Bernd Lange said the visit would be a good opportunity for the delegation to meet Vietnamese friends instead of joining online conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernd said that EVFTA is a strong base for the EU-Vietnam relations in the present and the future, and the agreement has had positive effects on both sides, especially on the recoveries in post-pandemic conditions.

In regard to the EVIPA, chairman of INTA said that the late ratification of the EVIPA among some EU members is due to the unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they all want to sanction the deal soon for stable cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnam is always a trustful partner of the EU as the two sides have built a close and efficient relationship through a number of signed deals in various sectors such as renewable energy, emission reduction, and green infrastructure development, he said.

Regarding environmental issues, the INTA chairman said that the EU and Vietnam will have the chance to improve the bilateral ties, while the 3-side cooperation between the EU, the UK and Vietnam will come into effect soon to support Vietnam with its renewable energy and green development.

Chairman Bernd also agreed with Vietnam NA chairman that the two sides would work to foster the digital transformation, remove the “yellow card” for Vietnamese seafood exports, maintain and increase the durability of supply chains, ensure transparency and avoid the risk of future crises.