The talks between the NA's Committee for External Relations and the DASE in Hanoi on November 4 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for External Relations had talks with a group of members of the European Parliament (EP)’s Delegation for relations with Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries (DASE) in Hanoi on November 4.
The EP delegation, led by DASE Chairman Werner Langen, is on a working visit to Vietnam from November 4 – 6.
At the talks, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Tran Van Hang said Vietnam and the EU have gone a long way in their relations and are now entering a new stage of development as they are accelerating the ratification of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and have basically concluded negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
The two sides agreed on the need to reinforce multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in general, and between Vietnam and the DASE in particular.
They also touched upon activities of the Vietnamese parliament, the country’s foreign policies, and its efforts towards the establishment of the ASEAN Community later this year.
Also on November 4, officials of the NA’s Committee for Economic Affairs held a working session with the DASE representatives.
Chairman of the committee Nguyen Van Giau noted that the EU is the second biggest trading partner and export market of Vietnam. Bilateral trade rises by 15 – 20 percent annually, reaching 36.8 billion USD in 2014 and 27.3 billion USD in the first eight months of this year.
He voiced his hope for enhanced cooperation between the two sides while asking Werner Langen and the DASE to support the expeditious ratification of the PCA, the signing of the Vietnam-EU FTA, and the recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status.
Participants at the session also discussed the Vietnam-EU FTA’s possible impacts on EU businesses in Vietnam and the Southeast Asian nation’s endeavours towards the ASEAN Economic Community.-VNA
