EU en Vietnam houden tweede ronde politieke besprekingen (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 15 April 2013 A

EU and Vietnam hold second round of high-level political consultations

Brussels, 15 April 2013 - European External Action Service (EEAS i) Chief Operating David O'Sullivan received today the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son for the second round of political consultations at vice-ministerial level

The EU and Vietnam noted with satisfaction the progress made in broadening and intensifying the bilateral relationship over the past year, notably in areas such as human rights (an enhanced Human Rights Dialogue was established in 2012), security and defence, trade (FTA negotiations were launched in June 2012), migration and the environment

The meeting also provided the opportunity to exchange views on the situation in the South China Sea as well as development- and governance-related challenges in the Lower Mekong basin. EU-ASEAN relations were also discussed and Vietnam - responsible for EU-relations in ASEAN -welcomed the EU's role as an active and constructive partner in the evolving Asian regional architecture

The global issue of Climate Change was also addressed and the EU encouraged Vietnam to translate its domestic plans for emissions reduction swiftly into an international pledge. Vietnam also announced its intention to participate in UN peace-keeping missions as of 2014, a move very much welcomed by the EU

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the dialogue and agreed to explore opportunities for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EEAS

The third round of the high-level consultations will be held in Vietnam in 2014

Background

In March 2012 the EU and Vietnam agreed to establish regular consultations on issues of global and regional concern on the basis of the new EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, signed in June 2012

More information

EU-Vietnam relations: http://www.eeas.europa.eu/vietnam/