PM hails EP’s approval of free trade agreement with Vietnam
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc described the European Parliament’s ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement as a great event of the year that marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-EU diplomatic relations.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc described theEuropean Parliament (EP)’s ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as a great eventof the year that marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-EU diplomaticrelations.
At a receptionin Hanoi on February 13 for head of the EU delegation toVietnam, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti, the PM thanked the Ambassador for his effort to push for the approval of thetwo agreements.
Heaffirmed that the Government, ministries and sectors of Vietnam will do theirbest to deliver on their commitments under the agreements, which will benefitboth sides.
PM Phuc informed the guest that he had instructed ministries andagencies to quickly proceed with internal procedures for early submission ofthe two agreements to the National Assembly for ratification. According to him,the NA is scheduled to consider and ratify the two agreements in the upcomingsession.
The PM asked the EU to help Vietnam enhance its capacity in implementingthe agreements. He affirmed that Vietnam always supports and creates the bestpossible conditions for EU investors to do business in the country.
He said Vietnam is serving as the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, which is anopportunity to promote EU-ASEAN relations.
Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti attributed the result to the joint efforts of both sides, noting thatthe high approving votes demonstrated the EU’s positive assessment for Vietnamand trust in the country’s reform process. He appreciated Vietnam’s cooperationin addressing recommendations and issues of the EU’s concern.
The EU commits to work closely with Vietnam to ensure success of thedeals’ implementation, he said, adding that the EU will work to popularize thetwo agreements and the benefits that they will bring about among the people andbusiness community in 27 member states.
The EU diplomat asked Vietnam to spread the word about the agreements toits people and businesses./.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which were ratified by the European Parliament (EP) on February 12, offer significant business opportunities for European enterprises, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier has said.
The recent ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the European Parliament (EP) has both strategic and economic importance in the relations between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has said.
The European Parliament’s ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on February 12 will open up a golden opportunity to improve value chains, said President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc.
Media reports in the Czech Republic have highlighted the importance of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) for the country and the EU in general after the agreement was approved by the European Parliament (EP) on February 12.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti (Photo: VNA) 
