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EEAS’s role in developing relations with Vietnam highlighted
Vietnam praises the European External Action Service (EEAS)’s role in developing comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economics and culture, between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) as well as the European Parliament (EP).
The statement was made by Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Committee for External Relations Tran Van Hang at the December 7 meeting with EEAS Chief Operating Officer David O’Sullivan as part of the three-day visit to Belgium by NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation between the EU and Vietnam and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern related to diplomacy, politics, economics, social affairs and major events in nations around the world.
Mr Hang also touched upon important issues on Vietnam-EU relations, including negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and maritime security and safety in the East Sea, with the affirmation that ASEAN and concerned nations have agreed upon crucial measures based on the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea to ensure peace, cooperation, development and stability in the region.
Vietnam wants the EU and EP to support it and ASEAN nations’ stances and policies on security architecture through their unbiased views on this issue.
For his part, the EEAS Chief also spoke highly of bilateral relations between his organization and Vietnam, saying that he is happy to see the process of negotiating the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Vietnam concluded.
He also underlined the need to restart the FTA negotiation process towards building the FTA framework between ASEAN and the EU.
Despite facing economic difficulties, European nations still support trade liberalization and go against protectionism, Mr O’Sullivan said.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the EEAS Chief said the concerned parities should devise a multilateral solution, as tension on this issue will affect regional socio-economic development.
On the occasion, Mr Hang repeated the NA’s invitations to visit Vietnam to EU, EP and EEAS officials with the aim of sharing experiences to promote relations and comprehensive cooperation.
The EEAS is a European Union (EU) department that was established following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009 to raise the union’s status in the international arena.
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