Ministry of Planning and Investment Portal

At the meeting. Photo: MPI

Deputy Minister Ngoc said Vietnam describes the EU as one of leading partners while the two sides experience fruitful and comprehensive partnership in various sectors such as cooperation development, trade, investment, education-training, science and technology, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism. The EU has encouraged Vietnam’s integration and socio-economic development, she continued.

The EU is currently the fifth largest investor of Vietnam with many signed agreements like the PCA, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the upcoming EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, especially the EVFTA has actively promoted two-way trade and investment. Vietnam and the EU boast huge cooperation opportunities if the EVIPA come into force, she noted.

Deputy Minister Ngoc suggested the two sides come up with measures to remove obstacles in the implementation of cooperation agreements, particularly in simplifying procedures and policies to maximise the development cooperation resources.

The official also expressed her hope for stronger collaboration in the effective implementation of the PCA, helping Vietnam accelerate its recovery process, achieve green growth and effectively implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs) with a motto of leaving no one behind.

The EU Ambassador to Vietnam Giorgio Aliberti stressed the conference’s significance in improving the effectiveness of Vietnam-EU relations. He hailed Vietnam’s achievement in COVID-19 control and socio-economic recovery and development, adding that he believes the country will soon achieve sustainable growth and the SDGs realisation.

The EU and Vietnam discussed and exchanged views on some issues related to sustainable development such as green growth, sustainable energy conversion, responsible business practice, job skills, and investment cooperation.

The EU has shared with Vietnamese side its policy framework on sustainable development, the Global Strategies, which stands for sustainable and trusted connections, and the implementation progress and obstacles of the cooperation programme between Vietnam and the EU for the period 2021-2027.

They looked forward to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in some potential fields like energy transition, innovation, education, healthcare, tourism and digital transformation. They also took note of the achievements, challenges in cooperation contents with Vietnam reached in the second sub-committee.

Delegates attend the meeting. Photo: MPI

In response, representatives of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and relevant ministries, agencies provided key information on developing circular economy, climate change adaptation and energy transition. They also noted the newly-approved Power Development Plan VIII and improving governance for economic growth in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese side spoke highly of the EU’s collaboration with Vietnam in general, and with ministries, agencies and localities in particular in implementing green growth and sustainable development goals. They expressed their hope to receive continued assistance from the EU on the design of a standards system in classifying green for the nation and sectors, and an appraisal tool to evaluate, select and mobilise resources for major green projects and technologies.

They also discussed the possibility on the design of a sustainable development mechanism for green growth projects to access to climate finance, developing a management mechanism to exploit opportunities and reduce risks from the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, and promoting technology transfer in green industries and fields./.