Vietnam always wishes to further promote the friendship and cooperation with the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has told Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth, right), Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange (fourth, left) and other officials. 

During their meeting in Hanoi on July 26, PM Phuc expressed his delight at the fruitful relations between Vietnam and the EU over the past time, especially in trade and investment, saying EU businesses are operating effectively in the country. 

Apart from the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), which has come into force, the upcoming signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) would be an important milestone helping lift the bilateral ties to a new height, the leader said. 

Both Vietnam and the EU hope that the pact will bring about pragmatic benefits to their businesses and people, he stressed.   

PM Phuc thanked the European Parliament, the European Commission and concerned agencies for facilitating the EVFTA negotiations.

“This is the golden opportunity for Vietnam and the EU to seal the agreement,” he said, noting his hope that the two sides will continue their coordination to reach the deal at the end of this year. 

The PM told his guest that the Vietnamese Government has instructed ministries and agencies to closely work with the INTA delegation to remove bottlenecks in order to enhance trade links between Vietnam and the EU, and accelerate the signing of the EVFTA.  

Speaking highly of the prestige, role and support of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), the leader said he has taken into consideration the agency’s consultations in administrative reform over the past time. 

For his part, Bernd Lange said his visit aims to reinforce cooperation between Vietnam and the EU. 

He congratulated Vietnam on economic achievements the country has recorded, citing its growth rate of over 7 percent in the first half of 2018. 

Regarding the EVFTA, Bernd Lange said the agreement will play an active role in investment attraction while helping spur economic growth of both sides. 

He suggested Vietnam and the EU promptly complete documents related to the deal toward the signing later this year, and step up the information work so as to help their businesses, including small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), raise their awareness of the pact, its opportunities and benefits.-VNA