Members of the European Union (EU) have expressed their wish to promote cooperation with Vietnam, including the earliest possible signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA), EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has said.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh speaks at a working session
with representatives of the European Business Association. (Photo: VNA)

At a reception for Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh in Brussels, Belgium, on June 19, the EU official lauded the National Assembly, Government and relevant agencies of Vietnam for ratifying the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Convention 98 and building and amending law, including the amendment to the Labour Code. 

Malmström said she sent Anh’s letter informing these results to EU members which showed positive response to Vietnam’s progress. 

The two sides discussed cooperation frameworks, opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam and EU partners in expanding and improving the efficiency of the bilateral economic, trade and investment ties. 

Vietnam, EU countries and Trade Commissioner  Malmström are stepping up efforts to complete procedures for the signing of the EVFTA, slated for later this month in Hanoi.

Anh told the Vietnam News Agency that during the latest working session of the European Council, some EU countries wanted to study more about Vietnam’s legal reform and socio-economic activities within the framework of international integration and requirements of the two agreements. 

Vietnam is constructively working with the EU countries to complete procedure-related requirements set in the deals, he said. 

While in Brussels, the minister also met with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumer Affairs Kris Peeters to discuss economic and trade ties between the two countries. 

Belgium was part of Anh’s trip to some EU countries, including Romania, Italy and Spain, from June 17-21.