 Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and EC President Ursula von der Leyen during their meeting on the sidelines of the COP28 World Climate Change Action Summit in Dubai, UAE, on December 1. |
Meeting with EC President Ursula von der Leyen, the PM affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the partnership and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU). Vietnam wishes the EU and member states will increase support for Vietnam in finance, technology and human resource training to cope with climate change and energy transition within the framework of the Political Declaration on the JETP.
He also asked the EC to push for the approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by its member countries, and consider the early removal of its yellow card over IUU for Vietnam’s fishery products taking into account Vietnam’s resolve and efforts to implement EC’s recommendations on sustainable fishery development.
The EC President affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the EU and the EC, and welcomed the close cooperation between the two sides, typically the implementation of JETP. She highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in implementing the EC's recommendations on IUU and hoped that the issue would be resolved soon.
The two sides agreed to promote close cooperation at regional and international forums.
 PM Pham Minh Chinh meets Hungarian President Katalin Novak (Photo: VNA) |
At his meeting with Hungarian President Katalin Novak, PM Chinh proposed that the two countries further promote cooperation, particularly in economy-trade-investment and market opening, given the large room and potential for collaboration.
He also sought Hungary’s support in pushing for the approval of EVIPA by EU member countries and the early removal of EC’s yellow card on Vietnam’s fishery products, as well as for the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam on the East Sea issue.
President Novak stressed that Hungary values the role and position of Vietnam in general and the Vietnamese community in Hungary in particular. She affirmed Hungary’s commitment to continue granting scholarships for Vietnamese students.
The President said she hopes to early visit Vietnam and Hungary also looks forward to welcoming the Vietnamese Prime Minister to visit Hungary in 2024.
The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, local cooperation and people-to-people exchange to help deepen bilateral ties.
In another meeting, PM Chinh and Indonesian President Joko Widodo reached consensus on continued cooperation and stance coordination in ASEAN and international forums, including those on climate change response and energy transition.
In a dialogue with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the country, which is an important partner of Vietnam in Northern Europe.
President Niniisto said Vietnam is a potential partner of Finland in Southeast Asia, and noted his hope that the two countries will strengthen cooperation, particularly in green transition, renewable energy and climate change response.
The two leaders agreed to promote cooperation in trade and investment, and make the best use of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement to raise bilateral trade turnover on a par with their potential.
Also on Friday, PM Chinh and his spouse met with staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives from the Vietnamese community in the UAE.
There are nearly 5,000 Vietnamese living and working in the UAE.