Brussels (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tran HongHa held separate working sessions with High Representative of the EU forForeign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner forClimate Action Wopke Hoekstra on the sidelines of the 2023 Global Gateway Forumin Belgium on October 26.

Meeting with Borrell, who is also Vice President of theEuropean Commission (EC), Ha highlighted Vietnam's commitment to enhance anddeepen the framework of its partnership and comprehensive cooperation with theEU.

He proposed that both sides fully and effectively implementexisting cooperation mechanisms and strengthen the pillar of trade and investmentthrough the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Healso urged EU member countries to early ratify the EU-Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) and the EC to remove its yellow card warning imposedon Vietnam regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

At the same time, the Deputy PM called for an expansion of the sides’ cooperation inpotential areas such as climate change response and energy transition,particularly within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership(JETP). Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge to help the EU connect with theSoutheast Asian region, and closely coordinate with the EU in implementing theASEAN-EU strategic partnership and addressing regional and global issues, he said.

For his part, Borrell affirmed that Vietnam is an importantpartner of the EU in the region. He lauded the relationship’s comprehensivedevelopment, particularly in economy and trade, with the effective EVFTA implementationresulting in a 20% increase in bilateral trade last year.

The High Representative said there is still untappedpotential for bilateral cooperation, especially in the energy sector, and agreed toenhance the sides’ all-rounded collaboration for the full and efficientimplementation of the EVFTA and other cooperation frameworks. 
 
Borrell went on pledging to support Vietnam within the JETP framework focusing on just energy transition andsustainable development.

He acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in tackling IUU fishing inrecent times and suggested that the country closely coordinate with the EC andfully carry out its recommendations in order to get the yellow card removed early.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace,stability, freedom, and safety of maritime navigation and overflight, and resolvingdisputes peacefully based on international law and the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At his meeting with Commissioner Hoekstra, Ha highlightedVietnam's determination to actively fulfill its commitments at the 26th UnitedNations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). He proposed the EU continueclose coordination with Vietnam to expedite the completion of the resource mobilisation planfor the implementation of JETP.

In response, the Commissioner for Climate Action stated thatthe EU consistently supports Vietnam in its green transition efforts, and asked Vietnam to support the EU's initiatives at the COP28.

Also in the framework of the forum, Deputy PM Ha had a meeting with CEO of John Cockerill Group François Michel, during which the two sides discussed the progress of the group's investment projects in Vietnam./.