Vietnam - Vietnam considers EU its leading partner

Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung has reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy that deems the EU as its leading partner.

At a meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy in Hanoi on November 1, Hung said Vietnam wants to build an equal partnership and long-term comprehensive cooperation with the EU to foster peace and development in the region and the world.

Expressing his delight at the positive development of bilateral relationship, Hung said the Vietnamese NA and people support the promotion of a strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation with the EU and its member nations.

The NA Chairman highly valued the June 2012 signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU as well as the progress of the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, saying that they will lay a firm legal foundation for expanding and deepening bilateral relationship.

He also spoke highly of the growing relationship between the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament (EP) which has contributed to strengthening broader bilateral ties.

Briefing his guest on the current NA session, Hung said the operation of the Vietnamese legislature is becoming more transparent with tighter supervision of Government activities.

The Vietnamese NA is considering amendments to the 1992 Constitution in order to further ensure the protection of human rights in the new period of national development, he said.

EC President Van Rompuy replied that the present negotiations and signed agreements will enhance EU-Vietnam ties across all fields,

The EU values Vietnam’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its positive relationships with EU members, he said.

Van Rompuy also expressed his belief that Vietnam will better perform its roles as coordinator for the EU-ASEAN relationship.

The EU has been actively working towards the formal recognition of Vietnam’s market economy, he added.

The President also spoke highly of Question & Answer sessions in the Vietnamese NA, saying that they demonstrate the progress of reforms in its operation.

On the same day the National University of Hanoi granted an honorary doctorate to EC President Van Rompuy.

HCM City seeks more ODA from EU

A Ho Chi Minh City leader has expressed wish that the European Union (EU) will continue providing ODA and non-refundable aid for the Southern economic hub to implement projects on public services, poverty reduction, education and climate change.

At a reception for visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on November 1, Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan further said that these projects are very significant for Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

He expressed his belief that Van Rompuy’s visit will open up a new chapter in the comprehensive relationship between Vietnam and the EU.

According to Quan, HCM City now has 450 representative offices of EU companies and 452 projects invested by EU countries with a total investment of over 3.5 billion USD. In 2011, the city imported more than 1.5 billion EUR worth of goods from the EU while its exports to this market exceeded 2 billion EUR.

Van Rompuy expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City , one of the most dynamic cities in the country as well as in the region.

He said he is impressed by Vietnam’s development during the past two decades, especially in the fields of poverty reduction, political stability and economic growth.

The President affirmed that the EU wishes to further contribute to the development of the country in the coming time.

Recently, the two sides have signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and launched the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement. Besides, the European Investment Bank has agreed to provide financial packages worth 640 million EUR for Vietnam.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the bank has participated in a project to build a metro line as well as several other projects.

Earlier the same day, the Hanoi National University granted an Honorary Doctorate to the European Council President for his significant contributions on the development of the relationship between Vietnam and European countries.

VNN/VOV/VNA

Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. Since we are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, you may contact us at: sbc.pte@gmail.com, provisionally. Many thanks.