Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong had a bilateral meeting in Hanoi on January 7 with Vice President of the European Parliament (EP) Heidi Hautala who is leading an EP working delegation to Vietnam from January 7-9.
An overview of working session between Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala (Source: nongnghiep.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development NguyenXuan Cuong had a bilateral meeting in Hanoi on January 7 with Vice President ofthe European Parliament (EP) Heidi Hautala who is leading an EP workingdelegation to Vietnam from January 7-9.
At the event, MinisterCuong spoke highly of the cooperation developments between Vietnam and the EU,particularly in terms of investment.
In the field ofsustainable development, the EU is considered Vietnam’s top development partnerwith the two main pillars of maritime economy and forest development.
The EU issued a“yellow card” warning for Vietnam in 2017 for illegal, unreported, andunregulated (IUU) fishing; along with nine recommendations to help the countrydevelop more sustainable fisheries.
Cuong said that afterthe EU made the nine recommendations, Vietnam was quick to complete its nationalinstitutions and laws, including the new Law on Fisheries, which has put the ninerecommendations into a solid legal framework.
Vietnam has also paidattention to forestry development. Currently, the country has 14 millionhectares of forests, with forest coverage reaching 41.65 percent – a high rate bothregionally and globally.
The country isbuilding up its forestry economy with the participation of some 4,500 relevant enterprises.Last year, the sector enjoyed an export turnover of over 9 billion USD, hestated.
However, Cuong notedthat the sector is still facing several weaknesses, including low productivity,small number of enterprises participating in the forestry chain, and the relativelysmall area of forests that have received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)management certificates.
The signing of the VoluntaryPartnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (VPA/FLEGT)between Vietnam and the EU offers a chance for the Southeast Asian nation torestructure the sector towards a transparent production chain, from materials toprocessing and trading, Cuong stressed.
Heidi Hautala saidthat EU consumers are paying greater attention to the origin of products. Therefore,the responsibility and role of the private enterprises are becoming more andmore important.
The VPA/FLEGT withVietnam is the second agreement the EU has signed in Asia, following a pactwith Indonesia, she stated, adding that this is an important step by the EU towardsbuilding a broader strategy to intensify biodiversity and sustainabledevelopment in Asia, as well as fighting illegal timber exploitation andtrading.
She said that theagreement will encourage transparency and have pervasive effects on theproduction chain with the EU and nations around the world as the EU has signed similaragreements with 16 other countries.
The EU is working tosoon ratify the agreement with Vietnam, she added. –VNA
The European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on International Trade (INTA) on October 10 held an opening hearing on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Phung Quoc Hien on October 30 received a delegation of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on Fisheries led by MEP and Committee Spokesman Gabriel Mato.
A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries led by its spokesman Gabriel Mato visited the northern port city of Hai Phong on November 1 to learn about the locality’s efforts in fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said a delegation from the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on Fisheries visited Hanoi and coastal provinces from October 28 to November 2 to examine Vietnam’s efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).
Efforts to deal with consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin should focus on environmental improvement and long-term support for AO victims along with dioxin remediation activities, heard a seminar held at the European Parliament (EP)’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on November 28.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
An overview of working session between Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala (Source: nongnghiep.vn) 
