Pleased to meet European Council President Antonio Costa again, the Prime Minister welcomed and affirmed that the visit is of great significance as Vietnam - EU upgrades relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; is a historical milestone, showing a new step in the development of bilateral relations, and also a message promoting the trend of cooperation for the region and for the world.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam values the global role and position of the EU, and wishes to strengthen relations with the EU - one of Vietnam's leading partners in economy, trade - investment and pioneer in promoting sustainable development, green growth, circular economy, digital transformation, clean energy and free trade.
Sharing about Vietnam's socio-economic development situation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that after 40 years of Doi Moi, from a poor, backward country, heavily affected by war, Vietnam has risen to become a developing country with a GDP of about 510 billion USD, ranking 32nd in the world. The Prime Minister affirmed that after the 14th National Congress of the Party, Vietnam entered a period of acceleration and breakthrough in implementing socio-economic development tasks; promoting the transformation of the growth model; building a socialist rule-of-law state; and at the same time steadfastly implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations, and the four-no defense policy.
Regarding the direction of implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, the Prime Minister requested the two sides to continue to strengthen high-level contacts and dialogues; promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms; soon implement the Joint Statement, thereby bringing the Vietnam - EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relationship into depth, substance and effectiveness, taking advantage of each other's strengths. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam will continue to improve the favorable investment environment to create conditions for foreign investors, including EU businesses.
Thanking the EU for accompanying and supporting Vietnam in sustainable fisheries development in the past time, the Prime Minister requested the EU to soon send an inspection team to Vietnam to have specific assessments, taking into account Vietnam's serious and effective efforts in IUU prevention as well as the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in order to quickly remove the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood. The Prime Minister also requested the EU to continue to support Vietnam in transforming the fisheries development model towards modernity and sustainability.
Congratulating the successes of the 14th Party Congress, European Council President Antonio Costa expressed his impression of the comprehensive socio-economic development achievements, especially in the context of the world and regional economy still facing many difficulties and instability; and highly appreciated Vietnam's long-term development goals and strategies. He affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific region and in ASEAN, and affirmed that the EU is a reliable partner, wishing to work with Vietnam to further deepen cooperation in all fields, and committed to continuing to accompany and support Vietnam in the socio-economic development process.
The two Leaders agreed to closely coordinate to effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), soon complete the ratification of the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and promote cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, science and technology, green transformation, digital transformation, marine economy, clean energy and high-quality human resource training.
Within the framework of ASEAN-EU cooperation, the two Leaders agreed to strengthen coordination to promote the development of the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement, while effectively exploiting new development drivers with a balanced and harmonious approach, meeting the cooperation priorities of countries in the region.
