Participants in the dialogue in Hanoi on August 19 (Photo: VNA)

Co-organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the EU Delegation to Vietnam, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung political foundation from Germany, the dialogue is an opportunity for an exchange of opinions on sustainable maritime growth and boosting cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in this regard.

It consisted of four sessions on the sustainable development policies of both sides, marine environmental management, a sustainable blue economy, and new trends in maritime-related issues and the future of Vietnam-EU maritime cooperation.

Speaking at the opening session, Dinh Toan Thang, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Affairs, said the dialogue is a meaningful activity and marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government values international maritime cooperation, particularly with experienced partners like the EU.

As part of the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), the two have committed to increasing the protection of the maritime and coastal environment as well as reinforcing the effective management of maritime resources towards sustainable development.

Echoing that view, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said EU-Vietnam ties have never been as close as they are now, particularly after the two signed a free trade agreement.

He noted, however, that engagement in blue growth remains limited.

He hopes the dialogue will contribute to further clarifying the EU’s maritime policies.

Vietnam, EU share perspectives in sustainable maritime development

EU delegates suggest the two sides step up coordination in the field, including strengthening institutional cooperation among relevant agencies, technical assistance, and raising people's awareness.

Participants highlighted the importance of maritime cooperation between the two sides when Vietnam is implementing the sustainable sea-based economic development strategy through 2030 and with a vision to 2045, while the EU is carrying out the 2014 maritime security strategy.

They held that the Vietnam - EU maritime cooperation contributes to promoting connectivity at sea, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, safety of sea transport, and unobstructed trade between waters from Europe to East Asia.

At the same time, the bilateral collaboration will contribute to the management and settlement of maritime disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), participants said.

EU delegates suggested the two sides step up coordination in the field, including strengthening institutional cooperation among relevant agencies, technical assistance, and raising people's awareness.

They also pointed to potential categories such as green economy and sustainable marine tourism development, marine protected areas building, ocean plastic waste treatment, renewable energy, fishery exploitation and conservation, and marine ecosystem diversity./.VNA