Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Pier Antonio Panzeri (Photo: gettyimages)Hanoi (VNA) – Increasing constructive dialogue between the EUand Vietnam is the aim of the visit from February 21-23 of a delegation fromthe Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament’s Committee onForeign Affairs, said Chair of the subcommittee Pier Antonio Panzeri.
At a meeting with the press on February 23, Pier Antonio Panzeri saidduring the visit, the delegation had working sessions with committees of theNational Assembly, governmental agencies, international organisations,religions and non-governmental organisations.
The delegation engaged in constructive dialogues to assess the humanrights situation and socio-economic achievements in Vietnam, and to discuss thepotential impacts of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement on improving theliving conditions of people, including those with disabilities. The talks alsomentioned the development of dialogue between the European Parliament and theNational Assembly in the spirit of sharing experience.
The parliamentarian said enhanced constructive dialogue between the EUand Vietnam will create an environment of mutual trust for strengtheningcooperation in economics, trade, sustainable development and human rights.
He noted that Vietnam has achieved socio-economic progress and has begunthe process of promoting socio-economic rights, adding that during talks withVietnamese governmental agencies, the delegation welcomed Vietnam’sratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman orDegrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
According to Pier Antonio Panzeri, the delegation raised global issuessuch as human trafficking and gender-based domestic violence and welcomed the unceasinglyefforts of the Vietnamese Government in those fields.
He added that the delegation also engaged in effective discussions onchallenges facing the disabled and needs for a more inclusive society,particularly the need for full implementation of the UN Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities.
Mentioning the EU-Vietnam FTA, Pier Antonio Panzeri said the deal isimportant to both the EU and Vietnam, and the Subcommittee, which is especiallyinterested in human rights and rights of workers, will actively work withagencies of Vietnam and the European Parliament for the early approval and enforcementof the agreement.-VNA
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