European Commission President José Manuel Barroso affirmed that the European Union (EU) pledged to continue official development assistance for and attaches importance to beefing up relations with Vietnam.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung and European Commission President Barroso on the sidelines of the 3rd Nuclear Security Summit - Photo: VGP
He made the statement while meeting with PM Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the 3rdNuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The EU is the biggest trade partner and ODA provider, a top investor of Vietnam. The two-way trade value increased by 16% against 2012 to nearly US$34 billion.
PM Dung said that international community’s support, including the EU, is important for Vietnam to maintain its achievements in poverty reduction and coping with non-traditional security challenges.
President Barroso affirmed that he would strive to boost the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed between Vietnam and the EU.
Both sides discussed on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) talks scheduled to complete before the 10th Asia-Europe Summit in October this year.
PM Dung asked the EU to take into account Vietnam’s development level for a balanced agreement that benefits both sides.
The Government chief also asked the European Commission to speed up its recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status no later than the time when both side complete EVFTA talks.
As the coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations, Vietnam attaches importance to collaborating closely with the EU to strengthen the ASEAN-EU dialogue ties, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.
On the occasion, President Barroso invited PM Dung to visit the European Commission on the occasion of the 10th Asia-Europe Summit.
Source: VGP
Đăng ký: VietNam News
