Morning of July 30, at the Presidential Palace, President To Lam received the Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from July 29-31 at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
At the meeting, President To Lam thanked the Vice President of the EC, High Representative of the EU for attending the State funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, demonstrating the EU's respect for the significant contributions of the General Secretary in promoting Vietnam-EU relations in recent times.
The President congratulated the EU on electing a new leadership team, expressing confidence that Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles' visit will create an important momentum to strongly promote Vietnam-EU relations, and highly appreciated his contributions to bilateral relations during his tenure as President of the European Parliament from 2004-2007.
The President suggested that both sides continue to enhance delegation exchanges, especially at high levels; effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as other agreements and cooperation mechanisms.
President To Lam also suggested that the EU urge the remaining member states to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); soon lift the “yellow card” on Vietnam's seafood exports based on recognizing Vietnam's efforts and achievements in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam, support Vietnam in effectively implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster prevention, crisis management, and crime prevention.
Welcoming the EU's strategies and cooperation initiatives with the Indo-Pacific region, the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for the EU with the region, including enhancing the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.
Affirming that the EU considers Vietnam a leading partner in the region, one of the important entities in current and future international relations, Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles stated that the EU is vigorously implementing several strategies and cooperation initiatives, including cooperation projects with ASEAN and in Vietnam within the framework of the EU's Global Gateway Initiative, aiming to elevate Vietnam-EU relations to a new height.
Informing about the situation in Vietnam, the President emphasized that Vietnam's socio-economic achievements serve the people; affirmed that the Vietnamese State considers people as the center and 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, belief, and non-religion, and have wide access to the Internet and social networks...
Agreeing with the assessments and proposals of President To Lam, Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles expressed confidence that, under the attention and direction of the President, Vietnam-EU relations will increasingly develop strongly and deeply, for the benefit of both sides.
