Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh),

Congratulating Ambassador Aliberti on fulfilling his term from 2019 to 2023 in Vietnam, Foreign Minister Son highly valued the EU and its member countries’ donation of vaccine and medical supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam attaches great importance to and wishes to enhance relations with the EU, one of its most important partners, he affirmed.

The Foreign Minister also spoke highly of the EU’s role in promoting the establishment of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and international partners. He called on the bloc to continue helping Vietnam implement cooperation in this regard while accelerating the ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the remaining member countries’ parliaments to help make new breakthroughs in bilateral economic ties.

At the meeting, both host and guest noted with satisfaction that the Vietnam - EU relations have been growing strongly in such areas as politics - diplomacy, defence - security, science - technology, cyber-security, education - training, and climate change response. They agreed to maintain mutual visits and meetings at all levels, especially high levels.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received outgoing Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

The enforcement of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) since August 2020 has helped turn the EU into the fifth largest trading partner and investor of Vietnam. Bilateral trade has increased continually, reaching 62.2 billion USD in 2022, up 14.2% from the previous year. The EU is currently the biggest supplier of official development assistance (ODA) for the country, according to the officials.

For his part, Ambassador Aliberti thanked the Foreign Ministry, other ministries, sectors, and localities of Vietnam for supporting activities of the EU Delegation and himself during his term.

Echoing his host’s view on bilateral relations, he thanked Vietnam’s donation of medical supplies to EU countries in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and also spoke highly of the country’s culture of solidarity with and support for the international community amid trying times.

Perceiving that Vietnam is a regional pioneer in green and energy transition, the Ambassador affirmed that the EU will step up implementing the policies on cooperation with the region, and the JETP that the EU acts as the coordinator between Vietnam and partner countries.

Overview of the meeting. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

The EU treasures the development of relations with Vietnam on the basis of political trust, intensive and extensive economic connections, and huge cooperation potential, particularly in new development fields and trends of the world like energy and green transition, to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals, he noted.

He held that Vietnam has made great efforts to secure the EVFTA, a stepping stone for bilateral cooperation, and that the EU has also recommended its member countries ratify the EVIPA early to foster multi-faceted ties.

The Ambassador also suggested both sides soon build a plan to mobilise resources for the JETP implementation in order to create conditions for expanding partnerships in investment, business, and sustainable development.

He pledged that in his new positions, he will keep contributing to the enhancement of the Vietnam - EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.