VGP – Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh expected that Denmark, Bulgaria as well as other members of the European Union will accelerate signing and approval of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) welcomes
Denmark's Ambassador to Viet Nam Højlund Christensen at the headquarters
of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ha Noi on May 10, 2019.
Photo: VGP

Deputy PM, FM Minh stressed the point at his separate receptions for Danish Ambassador Højlund Christensen and Bulgarian Ambassador Marinela Milcheva Petkova in Ha Noi on Friday.

Welcoming the two newly-appointed Ambassadors to Viet Nam, Minh asserted that Viet Nam attaches importance and hopes to strengthen the comprehensive partnership with Denmark and the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Bulgaria. 

He expressed his hope that the two Ambassadors will make contributions to developing the friendship and cooperative relations with Viet Nam in all spheres in which trade and investment are the key pillars.

Viet Nam and the EU officially started EVFTA negotiations on June 26, 2012. After three years of negotiations with 14 official sessions and a number of mid-term sessions at ministerial levels, heads of delegations and technical groups, the two sides inked the official statement on the conclusion of the negotiations on the EVFTA on December 2, 2015. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) welcomes
Bulgaria's Ambassador Marinela Milcheva Petkovaat the headquarters of
the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ha Noi on May 10, 2019.
Photo: VGP

At the talks and meetings between PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in April this year, leaders of the EU members and the European Parliament asserted the importance of the two trade and investment deals

The occasion, Deputy PM Minh thanked Denmark and Bulgaria for backing Viet Nam to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 period, affirming to continue maintaining close coordination with the two nations at international organizations and forums. 

The two Ambassadors highly spoke of Viet Nam’s development and diplomatic polices which have helped improve the country’s role, status and prestige in the region and the world./.