(VOVworld) - President of the European Council (EC) Herman Van Rompuy and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam next week at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang. This is the first visit ever made by an EC president to Vietnam since diplomatic ties were established in 1990.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (Photo: Internet)

Vietnam-EU relations have been developing in both width and depth, particularly seen in signing the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and beginning Free Trade Agreement negotiations in June. These are significant steps to drive Vietnam-EC relations forward. The two sides will continue high-ranking exchanges. EU is Vietnam’s top partner in several sectors. Rompuy’s visit shows that EC appreciates Vietnam’s steadily growing position in the dynamic Asia-Pacific and wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. He will look closer into Vietnam’s socio-economic situation, renewal roadmap, and international integration, and discuss with Vietnamese leaders ways to further bilateral relations at regional and international forums. EU’s measures to cope with the Eurozone crisis will also be included in discussion.