FM Bui Thanh Son welcomed Vice President of European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles in Hanoi

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Vice President of the European Commission, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles pays an official visit to Vietnam from July 29-31, 2024.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles pays an official visit to Vietnam from July 29-31, 2024. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

On the morning of July 30, at the Government Guest House, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Vice President of the European Commission, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles.

The EU delegation in Vietnam said that after visit to Vietnam, Mr. Borrell then will to Laos to attend the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting.

After visit to Vietnam, Mr. Borrell then will to Laos to attend the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

According to Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, since the official establishment of relations, Vietnam-EU has experienced many challenges in the context of many complex regional and global changes. However, this relationship is increasingly deepening and bearing fruit. The support of EU countries for Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic period, both in terms of vaccines and personal protective equipment, is a good reflection.

Currently, the PCA Agreement (Vietnam - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement), which is a framework agreement regulating Vietnam-EU relations replacing the 1995 Vietnam-European Commission Framework Agreement, effective from October 1, 2016, is the legal basis for a new stage of development, with a broader scope of cooperation and a deeper level.

"The relationship between Vietnam and the EU is a model for peaceful cooperation, and at the same time, we hope to further develop bilateral relations."

"As a developing country in Southeast Asia and one of Europe's close partners, Vietnam clearly sees the value of cooperation with the EU in many fields," Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized and said. knowing that the EU is currently Vietnam's largest development partner; 5th largest trading partner and 6th largest foreign investor.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the EU's 14th largest in the world.

Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles signed the Guest Book. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is welcoming and holding talks with Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles. (Photo: Tuan Anh)