Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso have expressed their pleasure at the positive results of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the EU over 20 years.

 

During their talks in Brussels on October 4, President Barroso affirmed continued support for Vietnam, particularly in development cooperation to help the country obtain new achievements.

 

PM Dung thanked the EU and its member countries for their effective assistance to Vietnam through their development cooperation projects as well as their provision of the generalised system of preferences (GSP), to help Vietnam succeed in its renewal process and international integration.

 

The two sides welcomed the completion of negotiations and initialing of a framework agreement on the partnership and cooperation, saying that the agreement will open a new chapter in Vietnam-EU relations.

 

PM Dung and EC President Barroso attached importance to measures to boost two-way trade as the EU is a big market for Vietnam’s goods, with two-way trade reaching €11.5 billion last year.

 

The two leaders agreed to start negotiations on bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) after the technicians’ working group completes its work and soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy in the coming time.

 

PM Dung proposed the EU end its anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnam’s leather capped shoes exports.

 

EC President Barroso congratulated PM Dung on Vietnam’s assumption of the role of ASEAN Chair and welcomed the nation’s active contributions to promoting the ASEAN connectivity process and Asia-Europe cooperation.

 

Mr. Dung hailed the EU’s wish to participate in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), saying that Vietnam will accelerate the ratification of the third protocol for the EU to join the TAC.

 

PM Dung and EC President Barroso witnessed the signing of a number of documents, namely the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PAC), an agreement on a number of aviation services, a loan agreement for the Hanoi metro project and a cooperation orientation programme for 2011-2013.

 

During a joint press briefing, EC President Barroso confirmed that EU has become an increasing important partner of Vietnam and said he believed in the active and strong development of the EU-Vietnam cooperative relations.

 

He said that PCA will pave the way for promoting cooperation in all fields, especially in economics, trade and politics.

 

PM Dung said that the meeting has opened up new opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, helping them to build a long term and equal comprehensive partnership.

 

VOVNews/VNA