Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (left) and President of the European Council Charles Michel (Photo: VOV)

During their meeting in Brussels, Michel welcomed the working visit to the European Council and the EP by the Vietnamese delegation to discuss issues of shared concern across spheres, especially mutual support in the COVID-19 fight and post-pandemic recovery, and ASEAN-EU cooperation. Pointing out the pandemic’s impacts on the progress and efficiency of the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), he suggested the two sides work harder to optimize the deal’s potential.

Michel also shared his views on peace and security in Indo-Pacific and the rules-based order, and affirmed that the EU wants to expand and deepen cooperation with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

For his part, Hue said this is his first visit to Europe in his capacity as NA Chairman and on behalf of Vietnam’s high-ranking leaders in the new tenure, which demonstrates the importance Vietnam attaches to the EU and the EP.

He called on the EU to assist and share its experience with Vietnam in such areas as sustainable development, digital economy, green economy, and high-quality personnel development.

The top legislator said with its capacity and efforts to ensure vaccines for domestic demand and the region, Vietnam would like to receive the European Council’s support for cooperation in vaccine production in the country.

During the exchange, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation, including the important role of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the European Parliament.

They affirmed that they would work together to resolve some shortcomings such as removing the yellow card of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and narrowing differences on human rights issues.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets with President of the European Parliament David Sassoli (Photo: VNA)

On Wednesday, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with European Parliament President David Sassoli. At the talks, the two leaders agreed to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, exchange of information and share experiences in parliamentary activities.