A senior official of the President of the European Commission (EC) said that the European Union (EU) expects to soon upgrade relations with Vietnam to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas (Photo: Duc Hoang).

"The cooperation between Vietnam and the EU can be considered a model, a success story. We consider Vietnam a very important partner, the EU's leading trade partner in Southeast Asia. Trade between the two sides has increased by 40% in the past 4 years, demonstrating strong commitment from both sides," Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas said on October 22 at a press conference during his visit to Vietnam.

In Vietnam, he met with senior officials of the Vietnamese government, met with representatives of ministries, departments and sectors, attended the Green Economy Forum, exhibition, and the European Higher Education and Postgraduate Education Week. He also attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on supporting the Vietnam Red Cross Society and non-governmental organizations in the EU's humanitarian aid activities for victims of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam.

"The results of cooperation between the two sides are very good, but we still have opportunities to upgrade the relationship to be even better. This is the right time to improve the relationship between the two sides. I am working in Vietnam this time to prepare for a new phase in cooperation between the two sides, to upgrade the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he emphasized.

Mr. Schinas revealed that the EU is planning for EC President Ursula von der Leyen to officially visit Vietnam next year. "This could be the right time for the two sides to announce the upgrade of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2025 is also the 35th anniversary of the establishment of EU-Vietnam diplomatic relations, a very important milestone. Personally, I think upgrading the relationship is completely feasible," he said.

According to him, the prospect of the EU and Vietnam upgrading their relationship is very positive, as shown through exchanges between officials of both sides, as well as from individuals and non-governmental organizations.

He said that the EU will continue to invest in supporting Vietnam's economic development in two ways. First, the EU will continue to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of green growth and green economy. To do that, the EU has a tool called "Global Gateway", suitable for Vietnam to promote further investment in the field of green development.

In addition, the EU will continue to implement important initiatives to cooperate with Vietnam in areas such as climate change, education and training through the ERAMUS+ program.

Mr. Schinas commented that the world is going through a period of turmoil due to the impact of conflicts and the disruption of global supply chains. He affirmed that in a challenging context, the EU is a force of goodwill, wanting to find solutions to solve problems.

He said that the EU will strive to maintain peace and security around the world, as well as in the East Sea, an area of ​​great interest to the EU because a large amount of the union's trade passes through this area.

The EU will continue to cooperate with international partners to ensure peace, security and the region, especially maritime security.

"The EU is not here just to talk, but we will take action. We will not just come and leave, but will stay for a long time and cooperate with Vietnam for a long time," he affirmed.

Regarding the yellow card on Vietnam's seafood exports, he affirmed that both sides want and make efforts to soon remove this issue, to promote cooperation.

According to him, both the EU and Vietnam need to make certain efforts to be able to quickly handle the problem, aiming to improve the relationship. He assessed that Vietnam has taken very positive steps, greatly improving in adjusting and changing the legal system. The remaining issue is how to monitor, enforce, and have appropriate sanctions related to fishing so that the EU can soon remove the yellow card on Vietnamese seafood.

"We will need to make efforts, but we are on the right track," he commented.

Source: Dan Tri Newspaper