The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation with the EU through joint research, technology transfer, and startup support in the fields of semiconductors and renewable energy.
On September 26, Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn received EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic and his delegation during their working visit to Vietnam.
Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn meets with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the visit, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of Vietnam–EU diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He expressed confidence that the visit would further deepen bilateral relations, particularly in economic and trade cooperation.
Affirming that the EU is a key partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that both sides have effectively implemented eight regular dialogue mechanisms, signed multiple cooperation agreements, and strengthened delegation exchanges at all levels. Cooperation in economics, investment, science and technology, defense and security, environment, climate change, education, culture, and tourism has produced substantive results.
He informed the EU Commissioner that Vietnam currently ranks 32nd in the world economy and among the top 20 in global trade. By 2030, Vietnam aims to become a modern industrialized nation with upper-middle income, and by 2045, a developed, high-income country.
The Deputy Prime Minister called on the EU to further strengthen political trust through high-level exchanges, encourage an official visit to Vietnam by the President of the European Council, and urge remaining EU member states to ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also requested continued implementation of the EVFTA and the removal of the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports under the IUU regulation. Additionally, he proposed that the EU support ASEAN in aligning action plans with its cooperation strategy and back peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS.
Both sides agreed to establish a joint working group to address issues of mutual concern – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc
Commissioner Maros Sefcovic thanked the Vietnamese government for the warm welcome and noted his productive meeting with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên, where both sides reached consensus on promoting trade and maximizing the benefits of the EVFTA. He praised Vietnam’s reform and development efforts, affirming that the EU strongly supports Vietnam’s pursuit of fast and sustainable growth.
The Commissioner proposed the establishment of a dedicated working group to address existing challenges, including lifting the IUU yellow card, while developing strategic cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, 5G, aviation, and logistics. He also invited Vietnam to participate in the “Global Gateway Initiative” in France.
Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn agreed to set up a joint working group and stated that the Government would instruct relevant agencies to work closely with the EU to resolve key issues. He urged the EU to accelerate the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to support Vietnam in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
He underlined the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to refining preferential policies, enhancing intellectual property protection, and training high-quality human resources to attract high value-added technology projects. The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed a desire for cooperation with the EU through joint research, technology transfer, and startup support in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, 5G, aviation, and other high-tech sectors, based on the principle of “shared benefits and shared risks.”
Source: Công Thương Newspaper
