Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) shakes hands with Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam. (Photo: Van Hieu/VOV)

Hue said the agreement is important to both Vietnam and the EU.  He urged the two sides to speed up signing and ratification of the trade pact in the first half of next year.

The Deputy PM also expressed his regret at the EU’s issuance of a “yellow card” which warns Vietnam for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. He said the warning has complicated trade and investment cooperation.

Hue said he hopes the EU will soon remove the “yellow card” so as not to affect the EVFTA signing.

Ambassador Angelet said the EU will work closely with Vietnam to take the necessary steps to remove the “yellow card”.