Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan has proposed the European Commission (EC) to continue supporting Vietnam's agricultural sector in developing circular and green economy with a focus on sustainable aquaculture and seafood exploitation.

He made the suggestion at a recent working session in Hanoi with Ms. Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission (EC)’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships.

In order to meet the EU's initiatives on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and food safety, Vietnam's agricultural sector has made efforts to boost transformation in line with the changes of the green planet and construction of a responsible and sustainable food system.

The IUU fishing prevention has helped to improve the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, he said and asked the EU to provide support in marine aquaculture.

"We need technical advice for the three pillars of the fisheries sector, including reduced exploitation, increased aquaculture, and marine conservation," he said.

Ms. Ferran said one of the main goals of this trip was to share the implementation of the Global Gateway Strategy, focusing on global connectivity, sustainable connectivity, green transition, and digital transformation.

The EC was also concerned with sustainable agricultural value chains that add value, where related products could reduce emissions and combat climate change impacts, she said.

The EC has two projects currently collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, including a forestry project and a smart agricultural ecological transition project.

Earlier, at a press conference held in southern-central Ninh Thuan province on May 29, Mrs Ferran stressed that Vietnam is an important partner of the EU in ASEAN. EU has enhanced the implementation of its Global Gateway strategy in Vietnam.

Its goal is to promote smart, clean, and secure links worldwide and assisting partner countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, she noted, adding that the strategy’s priorities include digital technology, energy, transport, health, education, and research.