Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles is paying an official visit to Vietnam from July 29 to 31 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
At the reception, President To Lam thanked the Vice President of the EC, EU High Representative for attending the funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, showing the EU’s respect for the great contributions of the General Secretary in promoting Vietnam-EU relations in the past time.
 President To Lam receives the Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles. Photo: VNA
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The President expressed his belief that Mr. Josep Borrell’s visit will create an important impetus to strongly promote Vietnam-EU relations, highly appreciating his contributions to the bilateral relationship during his term as President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007.
The President affirmed that the EU is a very important partner of Vietnam and is pleased to see the positive development of Vietnam-EU relations.
The President suggested that the two sides continue to promote exchanges of delegations, especially at a high level; effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), EVFTA, as well as other agreements and cooperation mechanisms.
The President also proposed that the EU promote the remaining member countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); soon remove the “yellow card” for seafood exports from Vietnam on the basis of recognizing the efforts and results achieved by Vietnam in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; continue to provide ODA for Vietnam, support Vietnam to implement effectively the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster prevention, crisis, crime prevention.
President To Lam receives the Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. Photo: VNA
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Welcoming the EU’s cooperation strategies and initiatives with the Indo-Pacific region, the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for the EU in the region, including strengthening ASEAN-EU strategic partnership.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam as a leading partner in the region and one of the important subjects of current and future international relations. Mr. Borell said that the EU is strongly implementing a number of cooperation strategies and initiatives, including cooperation projects with ASEAN and in Vietnam within the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, hoping to upgrade Vietnam-EU relations to a new height.
Informing about the situation in Vietnam, the President emphasized that Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements are for the people; affirming that the Vietnamese State considers people as the center, the driving force for sustainable socio-economic development; the government is of the people, by the people and for the people; all people in Vietnam are guaranteed the right to freedom of religion and belief and non-religion and belief, and are widely accessible to the Internet, social networks…
Agreeing with the assessments and proposals of President To Lam, Mr. Josep Borrell expressed his belief that, under the attention and direction of the President, Vietnam-EU relations will continue to develop strongly and extensively, for the benefit of both sides.
Exchanging views on international and regional issues, the two sides agreed that countries need to be responsible for contributing to security and development in the region and the world; conflicts need to be resolved by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
On the issue of the South China Sea, the EU High Representative emphasized the important role of the South China Sea in international trade. The two sides affirmed to continue supporting the maintenance of security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, resolving disputes in the South China Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to the consolidation of peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
Duong Ngoc
