Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) ChairmanVuong Dinh Hue hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on June 16 for Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union(EU) Delegation to Vietnam, and Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam ThomasGass.

At the meeting with Aliberti, Hue spoke highly of the ambassador's efforts in enhancing the relations between the EU and Vietnam ingeneral and the Vietnamese legislature and the European Parliament (EP) inparticular.

Vietnam attaches great importance to and wants tostrengthen its relations with the EU, a leading important partner in theSoutheast Asian nation’s foreign policy, the top legislator stressed.

For his part, Aliberti pledged that he, in any position, will workharder to further consolidate and foster the EU-Vietnam relationship.

The ambassador also lauded Hue’s role in promoting theEU-Vietnam relations, especially the relationship between the EP and theVietnamese NA, which has been enhanced significantly over the past time.

Regarding the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA) and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), he said the EVFTA isan important channel and the two sides should fully tap its benefits to boost the bilateral cooperation.

Sharing Aliberti’s view, Hue said the EVFTA has proveneffective, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and post pandemic periods, andamid global supply chain disruptions.

According to the NA leader, Vietnam is working to soonratify the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right toOrganise Convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO Convention 87).

The EU will also urge its remaining members to soonratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Vietnam will seriously fulfill commitments in theEVFTA for the country’s rapid, sustainable development, the NA leader affirmed.

Hue also shared Aliberti’s view that parliamentarycooperation is an important channel which should be promoted to contribute tothe EU-Vietnam cooperation, and suggested the two sides increase all-leveldelegation and people-to-people exchanges to enhance their mutual understanding.

Highlighting the significance of the JETP to theEU-Vietnam relations, Aliberti noted that Vietnam is the third nation, afterSouth Africa and Indonesia, to have signed the agreement with internationalpartners, saying this reflected the EU’s confidence in Vietnam and its wish tomake long-term, sustainable presence in the country.

Hue used this occasion to thank the EU and its membercountries, particularly Aliberti, for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic combat, and hailed the EU for its strategies and initiatives toenhance cooperation with Asia-Pacific.

The EU’s cooperation priorities match Vietnam’s sustainabledevelopment orientations, the leader said, emphasising that Vietnam standsready to help the EU promote its presence in the region, connect with the ASEANmarket, and accelerate negotiations on a free trade agreement with theten-member group, and to coordinate in materialising the ASEAN-EU Plan ofAction for 2023-2027.

Hue suggested the European Commission (EC) soon removeits “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood basing on positive assessments of the country's practical efforts in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On this occasion, the top legislator asked theambassador to convey his invitations to EU and EP leaders to pay officialvisits to Vietnam.

Receiving the Swiss Ambassador, Hue highly valued theupcoming visit to Vietnam by the President of the Swiss National Council tomark the 52nd founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

Switzerland is always an important, reliable partner ofVietnam, he said, informing the ambassador that the two countries’ legislativeleaders are scheduled to hold talks, during which they will exchange views on speedingup negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EuropeanFree Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway andSwitzerland.

Hue expressed his hope that the two sides will seeksolutions to raise their bilateral trade and investment in the context that thetwo economies are reciprocal and investments by Swiss enterprises in Vietnamremain modest.

For his part, Gass noted his belief that the visit bythe President of the Swiss National Council will be a success, helping pushahead with the FTA between Vietnam and the EFTA.

Recalling his working trips to Vietnamese localities,the ambassador said Swiss firms have consolidated their presence there,demonstrating the close economic ties between the two countries./.