Việt Nam is one of Asia-Pacific countries that EU has the most extensive relations in terms of politics, economy, trade, development cooperation, environment and sustainable energy and national security.— Photo vtv.vn

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have pledged to work closely to ensure the best implementation of Europe-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The two leaders were speaking during a phone call on Wednesday.

They also emphasised the importance of maximising the benefits the agreement brings to both sides, contributing to promoting trade liberation, cooperation and alignment in the Asia-Pacific region. It also helps recover economic growth in the context of global and regional economies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Phúc expressed his pleasure to have talks with Ms Leyen at a particularly important time just before the EVFTA agreement will officially takes effect on August 1, 2020.

He said it will open opportunities to bring Việt Nam-EU relations to a new level on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Việt Nam-EU diplomatic relations (1990-2020).

The two leaders agreed that together with the Việt Nam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the Framework Agreement on Việt Nam's participation in EU crisis management activities (FPA), the Partnership on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade in Forest Products (FLEGT), the signing and implementation of the EVFTA Agreement and the Việt Nam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) make Việt Nam a leading partner of EU in ASEAN.

Việt Nam is one of Asia-Pacific countries that EU has the most extensive relations in terms of politics, economy, trade, development cooperation, environment and sustainable energy and national security.

According to PM Phúc, the EVFTA is a golden opportunity to help both sides promote cooperation and development given the fact that EU is the fourth largest trading partner, the second export market and the fifth biggest investor in Việt Nam.

To optimise the opportunity, Phúc proposed the European Commission to coordinate with the country in promoting communication to related parties and partners, urging EU member countries to ratify the EVIPA agreement soon and remove yellow cards for Vietnamese seafood products.

The EC President said the EU attached great importance the cooperation with Việt Nam in all aspects, appreciating the country’s efforts in assuming the chairman of the ASEAN and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

She expressed her admiration for Việt Nam's success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, agreeing to continue sharing information and experience in coping with COVID-19 pandemic. The two would coordinate to support each other's citizens, facilitating and gradually restoring the travelling between Việt Nam and the EU.

The EC President also shared concerns about recent developments in the South China Sea (Việt Nam called East Sea). The two sides emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, security, respecting international law including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) and ensuring freedom of navigation and flight in the South China Sea, where there is an important maritime route connecting the EU and the region.