VOV.VN - Vietnam always considers the European Union one of its top important partners, especially in economics, trade and investment, said National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at a reception in Hanoi on August 5 for Federica Mogherini, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) hosts Federica Mogherini,
Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative
of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

At the reception, the top Vietnamese legislator showed her elation at new steps of development in the bilateral comprehensive cooperation and partnership over the past time as both sides signed the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), carried out cooperation mechanisms such as Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and Human Rights Dialogue, and ratified the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (VPA/FLEGT).

Ngan said she hopes that the European Parliament and European member states would soon ratify the EVFTA and EVIPA in order to implement both sides’commitments to liberated trade and investment.

She told her guest that she has urged the Government to finalize procedures so that the NA can adopt the two trade deals in October.

Following Vietnam’s approval of a resolution on its accession to the International Labour Organisation’s Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention No.98 in June, the country’s legislative body is working with the Government to expedite the consideration and approval of the organisation’s Conventions No.108 and 87, Ngan said, adding that the move demonstrates Vietnam’s determination and efforts to realize commitments on labour standards, mentioned in the EVFTA.

Mogherini, for her part, affirmed the EU’s continued support for Vietnam, especially in 2020 when the country takes on the roles as the ASEAN Chair, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, and the Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Host and guest said that the signing and ratification of legal documents and the high frequency of visits by both sides’ leaders indicate the priority of each side given to bilateral relations in its foreign policy, thereby creating a firmer foundation for opening new prospects in bilateral ties.

Concerning the East Sea issue, the Vietnamese NA leader affirmed Vietnam’s unwavering stance on the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Echoing the view, the EU official underlined the importance of respecting international law, particularly the UNCLOS 1982, in ensuring aviation and maritime freedom.

Vietnam and the EU have coordinated on many issues based on similar points of view, she said, noting that this is an opportunity for the EU to promote relations with Vietnam for mutual benefits.