On March 1, 2024, in Hanoi, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had a discussion and signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with Francesco Lollobrigida, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry of Italy…
MANY ISSUES NEED COOPERATION AND SHARING
During the discussion, Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that Vietnam values and appreciates the relationship between the two countries and desires to further promote cooperation in the agricultural sector with Italy. The trade of agricultural products is a prominent aspect of the current cooperation between Vietnam and Italy.
According to Minister Le Minh Hoan, in 2023, Vietnam exported seafood, coffee, pepper, cashews, fruits and vegetables, wood, and rubber to Italy with a value of $500 million. Of this, Vietnam exported over $5.1 million worth of pepper, over $40 million worth of cashews, and nearly $300 million of coffee to Italy.
“We are delighted to see the increasing trade volume of agricultural products between the two countries over the years, with many products such as coffee, seafood, and spices like cinnamon and star anise being popular in the Italian market,” Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed.
Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that Vietnam not only produces agricultural products for domestic consumption but also exports to many countries worldwide. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam attaches great importance to food safety to protect consumers, striving to supply high-quality, low-emission, responsible, transparent, and sustainable agricultural products.
“With a direction towards modern, green, and sustainable agriculture, and a market of 100 million people, Vietnam is a good opportunity for Italy to expand its market for agricultural, forestry, and seafood products. Both parties can enhance the promotion of efficient exploitation of resources to develop modern and sustainable agricultural products. Vietnam is aiming to supply clean, high-quality, low-emission, responsible, transparent, and sustainable agricultural products, actively developing and protecting the brand of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry, and seafood products worldwide.”
Regarding the issue of the European Commission’s yellow card for Vietnam, Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that despite facing many difficulties, Vietnam considers the yellow card issue as an opportunity for the sustainable development of the fishing industry, transforming from a small-scale tropical and multifunctional fishery to responsibly managing a sustainable fishery.
Minister Hoan affirmed, “Vietnam considers combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a top priority task for the industry. This task not only meets Vietnam’s urgent requirement of developing sustainable aquaculture and seafood exploitation but also demonstrates the responsibility of Vietnam and maintains Vietnam’s reputation internationally.”
Minister Hoan hopes that Francesco Lollobrigida will acknowledge Vietnam’s efforts in implementing the recommendations of the European Union, provide technical support and resources to help Vietnam develop sustainable fisheries, and request the EU to consider early removal of the yellow card for Vietnam.
Regarding forestry, Minister Le Minh Hoan proposed that Italy support Vietnam in the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union on forest law enforcement, governance, and trade (VPA/FLEGT); the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); enhance cooperation in sustainable forest resource management, promote legal timber and timber product trade.
For agriculture, Minister Le Minh Hoan suggested that both sides increase the sharing of information, exchange experiences and technical knowledge in the field of plant quarantine as well as regulations on plant quarantine and in the management of food safety and quality for agricultural, forestry, and seafood products.
According to Minister Le Minh Hoan, both sides can share technologies and experiences in addressing current challenges such as drought and climate change. Both sides need to collaborate to organize workshops, conferences to share experiences, leveraging the advantages of Italy’s mechanization of agriculture and experience in food safety. Furthermore, the two sides can enhance the sharing of handicraft products and the promotion of advantageous agricultural products of both countries at agricultural exhibitions.
ITALY COMMITS TO SUPPORT VIETNAM’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
Francesco Lollobrigida, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry of Italy, stated that regarding the yellow card issue applied by the EC to Vietnam, Italy is an importer of Vietnamese seafood, so when the yellow card is lifted, Italy will also benefit. Italy will explore solutions to support Vietnam in resolving this issue.
Minister Lollobrigida acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in implementing the recommendations of the European Union and shared the difficulties encountered in the process. He also noted the important deadline in June 2024 for the 10th European Parliament election. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development can expect certain changes in international trade policy as well as changes in the personnel of the European Commission (EC). For Italy, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry of Italy committed to providing technical support and resources to help Vietnam develop sustainable fisheries.
“In terms of bilateral agricultural trade, the trade volume between the two countries has recorded impressive growth. We aspire to further promote bilateral agricultural trade because Italy has agricultural products that complement Vietnamese agricultural products. Italy always regards Vietnam as an important agricultural partner. Italy is always ready to cooperate with Vietnam in technology transfer, research, and the development of sustainable agricultural production models for export. Vietnam has great potential for stronger agricultural development. To enhance competitiveness in agriculture, Vietnam needs to strengthen scientific and technological solutions, and Italy can support Vietnam in this field.”
Francesco Lollobrigida added that Italy has many agricultural machines with medium and small sizes that are suitable for various agricultural cultivation methods in Vietnam. Italy also has many deep research centers on genes and varieties in agriculture and is ready to assist Vietnam in producing high-quality and economically valuable agricultural products.
“Vietnam and Italy have many similarities. We both prioritize the production of high-quality agricultural products, ensuring nutrition standards. To create favorable conditions for the import and export of agricultural products and food, Vietnam and Italy will strengthen the sharing of information, exchange technical knowledge in the field of plant quarantine, and regulations on the management of food safety and control for agricultural, forestry, and seafood products,” emphasized Lollobrigida.
At the end of the discussion, the two parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry of Italy. This event will provide a basis and impetus to promote deep, wide, and effective cooperation between the two ministries in the future.
