THE HANOI TIMES — The European Union (EU) highly appreciates Vietnam’s major legal reforms to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said during a press conference on November 18 marking 35 years of bilateral ties.

According to Ambassador Guerrier, the EU values its close cooperation with Vietnam during nearly eight years of joint efforts to remove the IUU “yellow card”.

He cited Vietnam’s strong rollout of the vessel monitoring system (VMS) for fishing vessels of 15 meters or longer.

The bloc recognizes the close oversight of Vietnamese authorities and the strong direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in urging coastal provinces to comply, Ambassador Guerrier added.

The prime minister holds weekly meetings with coastal provinces and cities to review progress, speed up implementation and adjust enforcement when needed.

He also urges localities and government agencies to adopt tougher measures to curb IUU violations, including administrative fines and criminal prosecution, the ambassador added.

Guerrier said enforcement of laws and regulations on the ground remains the main challenge.

Regarding Vietnam’s latest progress report submitted to the EU in October, he said several issues still require clarification, especially those involving traceability data and vessel fishing logs.

Vietnam needs more time to ensure accuracy and consistency, he noted.

He reaffirmed the EU’s desire to maintain close cooperation with Vietnam to achieve concrete progress soon, ultimately leading to the removal of the yellow card.

Heading to the major step

Responding to questions about when Vietnam–EU ties might advance to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Guerrier said both sides are aligning on the scope to secure a long-term framework.

He said the EU expects the new partnership to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

As the two sides approach the 35th anniversary of ties, he expressed hope that a decision could come within the next few months, possibly linked to a high-level EU visit to Vietnam.

On trade imbalance, Guerrier said the bloc pursues common benefit and fairness, noting that the EU’s goal with Vietnam is “mutual, fair access to each other’s markets.”

During the September visit of EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, both sides agreed to establish a high-level task force to address the trade deficit and maximize EVFTA benefits, he said.

The ambassador stressed that the EU remains a stable and reliable partner and will “keep its market open to Vietnam.”

35 years of trusted, sustainable cooperation

Guerrier said Vietnam–EU cooperation over the past 35 years has been built on trust, shared values and strong commitment across trade, innovation, sustainable development and global security.

Vietnam is now the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and ranks 16th globally. Since the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2020, bilateral trade has risen about 40%, while EU investment in Vietnam has increased from 22 billion euros (US$25.5 billion) to more than 30 billion euros ($34.8 billion).

In climate cooperation, both sides aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. Through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the EU and partners have pledged 15 billion euros ($17.4 billion) for Vietnam’s renewable energy development.

The bloc is currently implementing more than 300 million euros ($347.7 million) in grant-funded cooperation programs and plans to add another 160 million euros ($185.4 million) through 2027.

It has seen major progress this year in key projects such as the Bac Ai and Tri An hydropower projects and the Tra Vinh wind farm.

The ambassador reiterated the EU’s strong readiness to support Vietnam’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045.

He said the Global Gateway Initiative remains a key tool for this support, with investments in Vietnam’s energy, transport and digital infrastructure.

“Right now, the biggest obstacle to Vietnam’s development and its goal of becoming a high-income nation is having adequate infrastructure to support that growth,” Guerrier said.

He reaffirmed that the EU will continue to stand by Vietnam in expanding green electricity production, supporting green product exports and developing clean energy industries.