Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the remarks during a reception for Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, in Hanoi on December 10 on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of Vietnam – EU relations.

The European Union (EU) is a top partner of Vietnam in a multitude of fields and the relationship with the bloc holds a strategic and important position in the nation’s external policy, PM Phuc said while highlighting the growing bilateral trade ties amid numerous difficulties.

In turn, Aliberti said the 30th anniversary marks an important milestone in the bilateral collaboration, noting that the EVFTA has created optimal conditions for both sides to foster their partnership.

In the difficult context due to COVID-19, Vietnam has shown an increasingly important role in the international arena, especially in its success as ASEAN Chair, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 -2021 term. It worth noting that the country has successfully controlled the COVID-19 epidemic in the context that many countries around the world are still facing plenty of difficulties, the EU official told his host.

He also suggested the two sides boost bilateral trade and Vietnam bolster agro- fishery exports to the EU market.

The diplomat used the occasion to request the Vietnamese Government tackle obstacles to facilitate European enterprises’ operations in the Southeast Asian nation.

Agreeing with Aliberti’s opinions, the Vietnamese cabinet leader said the enforcement of the EVFTA for a short time, has brought immediate effects to both sides, particularly in helping their economic recovery.

As Chair of ASEAN 2020, Vietnam is elated with the establishment of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership and is confident of effective cooperation between the two sides in the future, Phuc said.

He hailed the EU’s positive voice in support of respecting international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the East Sea.

Phuc thanked the EU for helping Vietnam fulfill its mission as ASEAN Chair this year and wished for further assistance to Vietnam as the country is holding a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

He expressed his gratitude to the bloc’s humanitarian aid worth 60,000 EUR for the nation to address drought and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta as well as support to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this occasion, the Ambassador conveyed letters of the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc./.

BTA