Prime Minister suggests the EC to consider removing IUU yellow card for Vietnam

The Prime Minister suggested the EC to consider removing the IUU yellow card 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU High Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries at the 2022 Green Economy Forum and Exhibition (GEFE 2022) with the theme of "Green initiatives and solutions from Europe to Vietnam". The Prime Minister believed that the event is a great opportunity for partners to bring solutions and technology from Europe and help Vietnam work towards the goals in the National Strategy on green growth, contributing to promoting fast and sustainable economic development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested the parties to increase delegation exchange and communications at all levels; maintain and promote effective cooperation mechanisms, as well as effectively capitalize the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with the aim of deepening Vietnam - EU relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure of the results after a two-year implementation of the EVFTA, which has significantly reinforced two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU. The Prime Minister hoped that the EU would continue to support the implementation of projects that focus on sustainable development, climate change response, clean energy and renewable energy. These projects will help Vietnamese businesses and local governments improve their capacity to implement the goals set out at COP26 and those under the EVFTA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his wish that the remaining EU state members will promptly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which will subsequently promote European businesses' investment and activities in Vietnam, focusing on those operating in the manufacturing, service industries as well as other key strength of the EU with regards to sustainable development such as digital economy, green growth, green agricultural development, etc.

The Prime Minister also suggested the European Commission to consider removing Vietnam's yellow card and provide technical support in handling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, contributing to securing the livelihoods of fishermen as well as supplies for the EU market.

The Prime Minister said that after receiving the EU's recommendation on handling IUU fishing, Vietnam has actively worked towards completing the legal framework, strengthening the enforcement organization and raising the awareness of people as well as creating jobs and livelihoods for people on the mainland.

The Prime Minister expressed Vietnam's desire to promote cooperation with the EU in the field of sustainable development in the marine economy, promote effective management of marine resources towards sustainable development, ensure the security, peace and stability for the seas in the face of traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

Regarding the implementation of international commitments on climate change, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly regarded the EU's leading role in responding to climate change and sustainable development; he proposed that the EU and its member states continue to support Vietnam with financial aid, technology and experience in responding to climate change, with emphasis on the Mekong Delta region, one of the regions most affected by climate change; promote the establishment of the G7 and Vietnam's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) on the basis of common interests, equality and justice in the transition process.

The Prime Minister stated that combating climate change is a global effort, so it is necessary to call for international cooperation and uphold multilateralism in cooperation in protecting the marine life as well as our natural habitat.

Urgency to put EVIPA Agreement into practice

Expressing his pleasure to attend the 2022 Green Economy Forum and Exhibition, Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for discussing measures to promote cooperation relations between Vietnam - EU in the future.

Affirming that Vietnam is one of the EU's most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, High Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius agreed that the two parties need to increase delegation exchanges and communications at all levels to further elevate the bilateral relations.

The High Commissioner emphasized that the EU and its member states always support strengthening bilateral cooperation in all fields, with special attention to climate change and sustainable development. GEFE 2022 is an important event for European partners to promote green solutions and technologies, connect with Vietnamese partners to promote green growth and sustainable development.

The EU High Commissioner affirmed that the EVFTA Agreement is an important driving force in promoting the economic - trade relations between the two parties. He shared the hope to promptly put the EVIPA Agreement into practice. The EU acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in sustainable fisheries transformation, as well as Vietnam's efforts and commitments in combating climate change, with a roadmap towards reaching zero net emission by 2050.

The EU is ready to promote cooperation and support Vietnam in the fields of climate change, green development, and energy transition. The High Commissioner also proposed promoting cooperation with Vietnam in combating ocean plastic waste, and establishing a cooperation mechanism on forest protection and development.

Regarding the handling of IUU fishing, High Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius expressed his appreciation for the close cooperation of Vietnamese authorities, especially the cooperation with the European delegation to Vietnam in October. After assessing Vietnam's progress in handling IUU fishing, the delegation is preparing a report and will promptly share it with Vietnam; the delegation will return to Vietnam within the next 6 months to continue to evaluate the implementation of the EU's recommendations.