Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam attaches importance to and wants to deepen relations with the EU, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn affirmed during his phone call with the Vice President of the European Commission (EC) and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell late Tuesday.

In the talks, Borrell noted his belief that the EU-Việt Nam relations will be consolidated as the EU is rolling out a range of policies and initiatives towards the region, such as the cooperation strategy with Indo-Pacific and the Global Gateway, with Việt Nam among the prioritised cooperation partners.

The two sides expressed their delight at the achievements following the nearly two-year implementation of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU remains Việt Nam’s third-largest export market and fifth biggest import market.

They agreed to advance the bilateral cooperation on par with their potential and better meet the interests of both sides by increasing high-level delegation exchanges, effectively carrying out the existing cooperation mechanisms, closely coordinating at multilateral forums, promoting the ASEAN-EU cooperation, expanding collaboration in energy, climate change response, green transition, digital economy and infrastructure.

Borrell took note of Việt Nam’s proposal to lift the “yellow card” warning soon on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing against the Southeast Asian nation and urged EU member countries to ratify the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon.

The Vietnamese diplomat thanked the EU and its member countries for their supply of vaccines and medical equipment to Việt Nam in the COVID-19 fight, thus helping to facilitate trade, tourism and economic recovery of both sides in the post-pandemic period.

The officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern.

With respect to the Ukraine issue, Sơn reiterated Việt Nam’s consistent policy of supporting the settlement of disputes and differences via peaceful measures in line with the UN Charter and basic principles of international law; ensuring the security and safety of civilians, and protecting essential civilian infrastructure; and supporting and standing ready to contribute to humanitarian aid activities, diplomatic processes, dialogues and negotiations, as well as reconstruction and restoration in Ukraine.

The Vietnamese foreign minister again invited Borrell to visit Việt Nam, and the latter accepted with pleasure.

The same day, Sơn held phone talks with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, during which the two sides affirmed the importance they attach to the Việt Nam-Hungary comprehensive partnership.

They also highly valued progress in bilateral cooperation, with the regular exchange of delegations at all levels.

The ministers rejoiced at achievements in economic cooperation as two-way trade surpassed US$1 billion in 2021 and agreed to make use of their strength and potential to further step up collaboration.

Both sides will prepare for the 10th meeting of the Việt Nam-Hungary Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation.

Sơn thanked Hungary for prioritising Việt Nam in providing official development assistance and spoke highly of efforts made by the two sides in pushing cooperation projects using ODA from the Hungarian government, including Cần Thơ Oncology Hospital.

Szijjártó invited Sơn to visit Hungary at an appropriate time. — VNS