Continued support pledged in talks with EC President

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso have expressed their pleasure at rapid developments in friendship and multifaceted co-operation between Viet Nam and the EU over the past 20 years.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) with President of the European Commission Jose Barroso at their meeting in Brussels yesterday. (Photo: VNA)

During their talks in Brussels yesterday, Oct 4, Barroso affirmed to continue supporting and assisting Viet Nam, particularly in development co-operation, to help the country obtain new achievements.

Dung thanked the European Union and its member countries for their effective help to Viet Nam through their development co-operation projects as well as their provision of the generalised system of preferences (GSP), helping Viet Nam succeed in its renewal process and international integration.

The two sides welcomed the completion of negotiations and initialing of a framework agreement on partnership and co-operation, saying that the agreement would open a new chapter in Viet Nam-EU relations.

The initialing, which took place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, marks a milestone in the two sides’ co-operation.

Dung and Barroso attached importance to measures to boost two-way trade as the EU is a big market for Viet Nam’s goods, with two-way trade reaching EUR11.5 billion (US$15.7 billion) last year.

The two leaders agreed to start the negotiation of bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) after the technicians’ working group completed its work and soon recognise Viet Nam’s market economy.

Dung proposed the EU end its anti-dumping tariffs on Viet Nam’s leather-capped shoe exports.

Barroso congratulated Dung on Viet Nam’s good assumption of the role of ASEAN Chair and welcomed the nation’s active contributions to the ASEAN connectivity process and promoting the Asia-Europe co-operation.

Dung hailed the EU’s wish to participate in the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia (TAC), saying that Viet Nam would accelerate the ratification of the third protocol for the EU to join TAC.

The two leaders also exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern.

Dung and Barroso witnessed the signing the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), an agreement on a number of aviation services, a loan agreement for the Ha Noi metro project and a co-operation orientation programme for 2011-13.

During a joint press briefing, Barroso confirmed that the EU had become an increasingly important partner of Viet Nam and that he believed in the active and strong development of EU-Viet Nam co-operative relations.

He said the PCA would pave the way for promoting co-operation in all fields, especially in economics, trade and politics.

Dung said the meeting opened up new chances for co-operation between Viet Nam and the EU, helping them build a long-term, comprehensive and equal partnership.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News