Joint press statement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the European Union

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The two leaders agreed that good governance, human rights, the rule of law and adherence to the international rules based system were conducive to development internationally and nationally

europaHanoi, 25 August 2014

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Nguyen Tan  Dung, President of the European Commission (EC) José Manuel Durão Barroso, paid an official visit to Viet Nam from 25-26 August 2014.

During the visit, President José Manuel Durão Barroso held talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; paid courtesy calls on General Secretary of Viet Nam Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang; received the Degree of Doctor Honoris Causae upon H.E. Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso from National Economics University (NEU) in Hanoi and addressed NEU students; visited Ho Chi Minh city; had a meeting with the Chairman of the People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and met with Vietnamese and European businesses.

2. In the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding, President José Manuel Durão Barroso and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung informed each other of the developments in the European Union (EU) and Viet Nam, discussed measures to intensify Viet Nam-EU multi-faceted cooperation, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

3. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the impressive development of bilateral relations. They highly appreciated the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between Viet Nam and the EU as a qualitative leap in the bilateral partnership, that allowed the broadening and deepening of relations beyond the traditional areas of trade and development to include areas such as environment and climate change, human rights, science and technology, transport, tourism, energy, education and culture, peace and security. Both sides also welcomed the increased flow of visits and contact at all levels since signing of the PCA, especially the highest level.

President Barroso underlined the commitment of the EU to its relations with Viet Nam, appreciating Viet Nam’s role as important partner for the EU and a key player in ASEAN and internationally.

4. President Barroso expressed his pleasure to return to Viet Nam since 2007 and witness first-hand Viet Nam’s impressive socio-economic achievements. The two leaders welcomed the deepening of Viet Nam-EU economic ties and rapid development of two-way trade and investment. They welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral trade and the EU’s position as Viet Nam’s largest export market and 2nd largest trade partner. The leaders noted that the EU is also one of the largest foreign investors in Viet Nam with a total of EUR 495 million in 2013. President Barroso expressed his belief that Viet Nam would continue to be an attractive destination for foreign investors, including European investors and businesses.

5. The leaders welcomed the good progress in negotiations towards a Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement and expressed the wish to conclude the negotiations swiftly. They emphasized that a mutually-beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will offer new business opportunities for economic operators, enhance inflows of Foreign Direct Investment and promote growth and employment. President Barroso acknowledged the substantial progress Viet Nam has made in its transition to a market economy initiated by the Doi moi policy and encouraged Viet Nam to pursue the path of economic reform. The EU and Viet Nam agreed to intensify the market economy status (MES) process which aims at enabling Viet Nam to qualify for MES as soon as possible towards mutually beneficial and equal partnership.

6. Both sides agreed to continue encouraging and facilitating Vietnamese and European businesses to step up investment, business and establish partnership, particularly in prioritised areas including, among others, industry, infrastructure, transportation, energy, finance, services, health, space applications and tourism.

7. President Barroso informed the Prime Minister of Viet Nam about the ongoing economic recovery in the EU. Domestic demand is firming; important reforms have been implemented, and growth-friendly fiscal consolidation is bearing fruit. Europe’s economic recovery is gradually also reaching the labour market, where unemployment figures have started to decrease, though they are still at an unacceptably high level. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly appreciated the visit by the European Commission President at a time when Viet Nam-EU relations had seen significant progress and both sides were preparing for the celebration of 25 years of diplomatic relations (1990-2015). Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated the EU on successfully overcoming the recent macro-economic challenges and moving forward with the process of expansion and integration.

8. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung appreciated the ratification by a large number of EU Member States of the PCA between Viet Nam and the EU and expressed hope that the European Parliament and remaining EU Member States would soon ratify the PCA.

9. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the EU and the EU Member States for the pledge of EUR 542 million development assistance for Viet Nam in 2014. The EU and the EU Member States thus remain the largest grant aid donor of Viet Nam. President Barroso assured the EU’s continued support to Viet Nam’s reform process, including through development cooperation. He confirmed the significant increase of bilateral development assistance to Vietnam from EUR 300 million in 2007-2013 to EUR 400 million for the period 2014-2020. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed appreciation for the strong contribution of the EU to Viet Nam’s development efforts and welcomed the choice of focal sectors “sustainable energy” and “governance and rule of law” as pertinent and well aligned with Viet Nam’s development priorities.

10. The two leaders agreed that good governance, human rights, the rule of law and adherence to the international rules based system were conducive to development internationally and nationally. President Barroso recognised the progress of Viet Nam in meeting the challenges that come with a modernizing society. In this connection, President Barroso shared the benefits of vibrant media and internet. The EU side welcomed Viet Nam’s election to the UN Human Rights Council in November 2013 as sign of determination to further promote and protect human rights.

11. The two sides stressed the importance of ASEAN – EU cooperation to the region and welcomed the achievements both sides have accomplished in over 37 years of relationship. The two sides appreciated the agreements made by both sides’ Foreign Ministries during the recent 20thASEAN – EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in July 2014, including working towards the upgrading of the partnership to a strategic one and enhancing cooperation in ASEAN Connectivity and maritime security and safety. In this regards, the EU highly appreciated the role and efforts of Viet Nam as the current Country Coordinator of the ASEAN – EU relationship and as Co-chair of the Ministerial Meeting in achieving those results.

9. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the EU and the EU Member States for the pledge of EUR 542 million development assistance for Viet Nam in 2014. The EU and the EU Member States thus remain the largest grant aid donor of Viet Nam. President Barroso assured the EU’s continued support to Viet Nam’s reform process, including through development cooperation. He confirmed the significant increase of bilateral development assistance to Vietnam from EUR 300 million in 2007-2013 to EUR 400 million for the period 2014-2020. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed appreciation for the strong contribution of the EU to Viet Nam’s development efforts and welcomed the choice of focal sectors “sustainable energy” and “governance and rule of law” as pertinent and well aligned with Viet Nam’s development priorities.

10. The two leaders agreed that good governance, human rights, the rule of law and adherence to the international rules based system were conducive to development internationally and nationally. President Barroso recognised the progress of Viet Nam in meeting the challenges that come with a modernizing society. In this connection, President Barroso shared the benefits of vibrant media and internet. The EU side welcomed Viet Nam’s election to the UN Human Rights Council in November 2013 as sign of determination to further promote and protect human rights.

11. The two sides stressed the importance of ASEAN – EU cooperation to the region and welcomed the achievements both sides have accomplished in over 37 years of relationship. The two sides appreciated the agreements made by both sides’ Foreign Ministries during the recent 20thASEAN – EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in July 2014, including working towards the upgrading of the partnership to a strategic one and enhancing cooperation in ASEAN Connectivity and maritime security and safety. In this regards, the EU highly appreciated the role and efforts of Viet Nam as the current Country Coordinator of the ASEAN – EU relationship and as Co-chair of the Ministerial Meeting in achieving those results.

16. President of European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso extended an invitation to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to visit the EU in October 2014 on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s attendance in the 10thASEM Summit, and expressed gratitude for the thorough and warm reception reserved by the Vietnamese side for himself and the European Commission Delegation.