Vietnam, EU to bolster co-operation
The European Commission said it welcomed continued progress in Vietnam’s economic, administrative, legal and judicial reforms and the nation’s efforts to promote greater global integration.
The comments were made at the seventh Joint Commission meeting between Vietnam and the European Commission (EC), held yesterday , Nov 26 in Hanoi under the co-chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong and Stefano Sannino, the EC Deputy Director General for Asia and Latin America.
Stefano said economic and commercial ties between the EU and Vietnam had continued to develop at a significant pace with bilateral trade quadrupling in the past decade.
"The European Union would continue to support Vietnam’s economic and social development and reform process through its development assistance, focusing on poverty alleviation, health reform, judicial reform and governance," said Sannino.
Both sides agreed to step up co-operation, including work in areas such as civil aviation and prevention of illegal trade in timber products. They also agreed to launch a new policy dialogue on higher education.
Phuong said that during the discussions, both sides indicated they were happy with achievements in the development of co-operation.
"The EC confirmed its readiness to co-operate closely with Viet Nam to foster the ASEAN integration process, as well as to intensify EU-ASEAN co-operation," said Phuong.
He said VienNam also presented its priorities for its incoming Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2010.
The Joint Commission meetings are held on a biannual basis to facilitate high-level discussions in the framework of the EC-Vietnam Co-operation Agreement signed in 1995.