Vietnam always values its co-operation with the European Union (EU) in economics, trade and investment, contributing to national development.
Vietnam always values its co-operation with the European Union (EU) in economics, trade and investment, contributing to national development.
State President Truong Tan Sang made the statement in Hanoi on March 29 while receiving EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs who is paying a working visit to Vietnam.
He asked the EU to continue providing aid to the country, especially in the fields of education, health, hunger eradication and poverty reduction.
He also expressed his belief that the EU's technical assistance in the field of trade will help the country fully implement its WTO commitments and facilitate its international economic integration.
Piebalgs said the EU pledged continued provision of official development assistance and non-refundable aid to the country. However, their nature will change because Vietnam has become a middle-income country.
He said that he hopes the two sides will start negotiations of their Free Trade Agreement soon, and affirmed that the EU is willing to share its experiences with Vietnam in climate change adaptation.
He appreciated Vietnam's efforts in accomplishing the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.
President Sang emphasised that the country will be a bridge for EU members to enter the ASEAN market.
He also agreed that the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), and Free Trade Agreement will serve as a foundation for boosting the two sides' relations in economy, trade and investment.
At another reception for outgoing Romanian Ambassador Dumitru Olaru, Mr Sang suggested that Vietnam and Romania continue their close cooperation at international forums and organisations.
He expressed his hope that Romania will support Vietnam's nomination to the United Nations' Human Rights Council and Security Council for the 2020-21 term.
The President also expressed his thanks to Romania for its assistance to Vietnam in the past, and sent his regards to the Romanian President.
Ambassador Olaru affirmed that the two countries' diplomatic relations have made encouraging progress in recent times, and informed Mr Sang that the Romanian President planned to pay a working visit to Vietnam in the near future to boost bilateral relations.
He thanked the Vietnamese Government for awarding him the Friendship Medal, and relevant agencies for helping him accomplish his tasks during his working term.
He said he hopes that his successor will further boost bilateral cooperation in his country's fields of strength, such as oil and agriculture.
