The Vietnam News Agency quoted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as telling President of the European Council (EC) Charles Michel at their meeting on October 10 on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, that Vietnam always treasures cooperative ties with the European Union (EU) and its member states.

According to the State-run news agency, both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the robust, intensive and extensive development of the relationship between Vietnam and the EU, particularly in economy, trade, and investment cooperation since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect in August 2020.

They agreed to further expand and deepen the bilateral cooperation in line with its potential, increase high-level exchanges and meetings, and remove existing obstacles and barriers to trade and investment, and promote effective cooperation in such emerging areas as digital economy, artificial intelligence, innovation, green transition, and climate change response.

PM Chinh urged the EU to continue encouraging remaining member states to swiftly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and lift yellow card warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese leader expressed heartfelt gratitude to the EU for providing €650,000 in humanitarian aid to help Vietnam overcome the consequences of recent Typhoon Yagi.

Hailing Vietnam as a key partner in the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mr. Michel affirmed, as quoted by the news agency, the EU’s commitment to speed up the EVIPA ratification. He also indicated the EU’s positive consideration of lifting the yellow card against Vietnam’s seafood exports and pledged continued support for Vietnam’s effective implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework.

Regarding global issues, both sides underscored the importance of adhering to international law and the United Nations Charter, and close coordination at global and regional multilateral forums.

Mr. Michel expressed the EU's desire to join hands with Vietnam and other ASEAN members to further deepen the EU - ASEAN partnership and affirmed its support for ASEAN’s central role and common stance on regional issues, especially the East Sea and Myanmar-related matters.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, settling disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to peace, stability and common prosperity in the region and the world.