EU acknowledges Viet Nam’s outstanding progress in combating IUU fishing

On November 12, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang held a meeting with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Viet Nam, led by Ambassador Julien Guerrier. The meeting demonstrated Viet Nam’s goodwill and desire to work with the European Union to address existing challenges and strengthen Viet Nam-EU cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environment.

Minister highlights progress in combating IUU fishing

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that Viet Nam wishes to strengthen cooperation with the EU and its member states on the basis of mutual trust, mutual benefit, and sustainable development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is actively working to resolve difficulties related to the circulation of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, combat IUU fishing, and comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Minister Tran Duc Thang stated: "The Prime Minister has consistently paid close attention and directed ministries, sectors, and 21 coastal localities to implement comprehensive measures against IUU fishing. The current system for managing and monitoring fishing vessels has been strengthened. As of October 17, 2025, more than 80,000 fishing vessels have been registered in VNFishbase, which is now synchronized with VNeID, VMS, and eCDT systems to support management and monitoring efforts."

The legal framework for fisheries in Viet Nam has been completed and harmonized, with consultation from the European Commission (EC) and incorporation of international regulations, particularly the recommendations on IUU fishing. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued 11 circulars guiding the implementation of the Law.

Minister Tran Duc Thang proposed that the EU soon organize the fifth EC inspection mission to Viet Nam to directly observe the country’s remarkable progress in combating IUU fishing, with the aim of lifting the "yellow card" as soon as possible.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier highly appreciated Viet Nam’s progress in implementing the EC’s recommendations, from the central to the local levels. "The EU acknowledges many substantive improvements in controlling and tracing the origins of fishing vessels, as well as in expanding forest areas and restoring natural forests, contributing to Viet Nam’s classification as a ‘low-risk’ country under EUDR,” the Ambassador affirmed.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed accelerating the approval process for a €20 million technical assistance project for Viet Nam’s forestry sector, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The EU also proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the circular economy and climate change response, with the aim of concretizing the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the EU in agriculture and environmental fields.

Collaborating stronger with member states

Currently, the opening of the Viet Nam-EU market is progressing positively. In the first nine months of 2025, Viet Nam’s export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products to the EU reached USD 5.77 billion, a 45.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Many products have been approved by the EU, and the two sides are advancing key dossiers, accelerating overall progress, and maintaining regular coordination mechanisms to ensure seasonal agricultural exports are not disrupted.

Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed his hope that both sides would continue to create more favorable conditions to remove remaining barriers that could interrupt trade. In his discussion with Ambassador Julien Guerrier, the Minister affirmed that the Ministry would develop mechanisms and models to support livelihoods, ensuring that local people truly benefit from forest protection and development, thereby contributing to the implementation of international commitments on emission reduction and biodiversity conservation.

At the meeting, ambassadors from EU member states including Romania, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Denmark shared various initiatives to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Romania expressed its wish to promote the authorization for exporting animal protein products to Viet Nam. Spain showed its readiness to share sustainable fishing techniques and experience in preventing illegal fishing, foster business cooperation in developing wind power plants, and facilitate the export of oranges and poultry while expanding collaboration in food safety.

The Italian Ambassador proposed enhancing trade exchanges for apples, while Poland and Denmark emphasized their commitment to continuing to support Viet Nam in green transition, emission reduction, and renewable energy development.

Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed his hope that EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier will play an active role within the EU in promoting bilateral trade in agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, as well as joint projects on sustainable natural resource management, contributing to the early elevation of Viet Nam-EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.