Brussels (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) ChairwomanNguyen Thi Kim Ngan held talks with President of the European Parliament (EP) AntonioTajani in Brussels on April 4.

Ngan thanked the EP leader for his contributions to thestrengthened partnership between Vietnam and the European Union, as well asbetween the Vietnamese NA and the EP.

She expressed her belief that Tajani will continue playing akey role in the promotion of ties between the EP and Vietnam in the future.

Welcoming the Vietnamese top legislator’s visit, Tajani saidthat the EU and Vietnam have shared a sound political and economic partnership,with the EU currently a large trade partner of Vietnam.

Noting that the EU offered Vietnam 400 million EUR forsocio-economic development, he said that this is evidence of the EU’s effortsin promoting collaboration with Vietnam.

The EP President lauded the attempts by Vietnam and ASEANcountries in general in dealing with intra-bloc differences, as well asregional matters.

Briefing her host on the socio-economic situation inVietnam, Ngan said that Vietnam has signed and implemented 12 free tradeagreements and is negotiating for four other deals.

The EU is currently the fourth largest trade partner, secondbiggest export market, and fifth largest investor of Vietnam, she noted.

The Vietnamese NA leader said that in order to furtherpromote economic, trade, and investment partnerships, the two sides haveconcluded negotiations and processing for the signing and ratification of theEU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement(IPA).

NA Chairwoman Ngan said the EVFTA and IPA will bring multi-faceted benefits toboth Vietnam and the EU, adding the early signing and ratification of the EVFTAwill open up many opportunities to realise the benefits that the agreement willbring to both two signatories.

The Vietnamese top legislator hoped that EP PresidentAntonio Tajani would further his support so that the EVFTA ratification can beput into the EP's agenda at the beginning of the new tenure.

She affirmed that Vietnam always facilitates optimal conditions for foreignenterprises, including those from the EU, to land investments in the country.

Vietnam honours international trade commitments and creates equal opportunitiesfor both domestic and foreign investors, she said, adding that Vietnam standsready to discuss issues of mutual concern with the EU to put forth the signingand ratification of the EVFTA and the IPA.

Tajani stressed that the EU attaches importance to the two agreements asthey are significant to competent parties. He added that, in his role as EPPresident, he has done his utmost to accelerate the signing and ratification ofthe deals.

All issues related to the pacts will be considered after the EP completes itselection procedures and begins a new term, he added.

NA Chairwoman Ngan and EP President Tajani expressed their delight over thesound relations between the Vietnamese NA and the EP, with various delegationexchanges and experience sharing in law building, among others.

Chairwoman Ngan affirmedthat Vietnam is willing to exchange information with and welcome EPparliamentarian groups, as well as organise dialogues with them to discussissues of mutual concern in the spirit of cooperation and construction, thushelping the EP better understand the situation in Vietnam.

She hailed the active operation of the twosides’ friendship parliamentarians’ groups, which helps promote the cooperativerelations between Vietnamese NA and EP in particular, and between Vietnam andEU in general.

The Vietnamese top legislator asked the twofriendship parliamentarians’ groups to continue cooperating by sharinginformation and experience in the field.

President Tajani said the EP welcomes VietnameseNational Assembly delegations to visit and work with the EP agencies.

He added that the talks hold significantmeaning, illustrating Vietnam’s determination to cooperate with the EU,especially as more European investors are seeking cooperation opportunities inVietnam.

He affirmed to do his utmost so that the EVFTAand IPA’s dossiers will be conducted according to the top priorities. –VNA