Paris (VNA) – Minister ofForeign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with officials of Brazil, France, theEuropean Commission (EC), and Canada on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting2023 in Paris on June 8.

Meeting with his Brazilian counterpartMauro Vieira, he affirmed that Vietnam treasures and wishes to enhance thecomprehensive partnership with Brazil, one of its most important partners inLatin America.

Son suggested the two sides maintain high-leveldelegation exchanges as well as coordination and mutual support atinternational organisations and multilateral forums, especially the UnitedNations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and others of which both aremembers.

He asked Brazil to support andpush the launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnamand the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), adding Vietnam is ready to serve asa bridge helping strengthen sectoral partnerships between the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Brazil, along with the ties between ASEANand MERCOSUR.

Minister Vieira congratulated Vietnamon its achievements in socio-economic development and agreed with his counterpart’ssuggestions, especially those about boosting effective and substantivecooperation in different spheres.

Both officials underscored theimportance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation andoverflight in the East Sea to peace and prosperous development in the regionsand the world. They shared the view that all disputes must be resolvedpeacefully via dialogue and on the basis of international law, especially the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Talking to Minister Son, DiplomaticAdvisor to the French President Emmanuel Bonne expressed the determination tostrongly promote the Vietnam - France strategic partnership.

He noted there remains much room for bilateraltrade and investment links to grow further, the two sides should fully and effectivelycarry out the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and that France will soonconsider the ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The two officials also agreed tosupport the expansion of cooperation in potential fields like climate change responseand renewable energy production, and in responding to regional and globalissues.

At the meeting with Executive VicePresident of the EC Valdis Dombrovskis, Son called on the EC to promote theEVIPA ratification by the parliaments of member countries to create breakthroughin bilateral investment, and soon remove the “yellow card” warning againstillegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnam’s fishery exports.

He also asked both sides to workclosely to implement the commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership(JETP) to help with energy transition in Vietnam.

Dombrovskis said Vietnam is animportant partner of the European Union (EU) in Asia-Pacific and recommendedthe two sides step up connections in trade, investment, and climate change response.He also took note of Vietnam’s proposal for accelerating the EVIPAratification.

The Vietnamese and EC officialsexpressed their delight at the progress in the Vietnam - EU comprehensive partnershipand cooperation, particularly in economic affairs, and agreed to furtherincrease high-level mutual visits. They also discussed the possibility of expandingties in other aspects such as labour, health care, and pharmaceuticals.

Regarding the East Sea issue, theyaffirmed support for the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis ofinternational law.

Meeting with Canadian Minister ofInternational Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development MaryNg, Minister Son called on the North American country to continue opening itsmarket to key exports of Vietnam such as agricultural and fishery products,apparel, footwear, and steel.

The officials agreed on the need tokeep fostering the Vietnam - Canada comprehensive partnership, especially inhigh-level delegation exchanges, trade and investment, green transition, OECDprogrammes, and education - training, as the countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The two countries will also capitaliseon the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)and bolster coordination at regional cooperation mechanisms such as ASEAN -Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), they said.

Later on June 8, Minister Son leftfor the Czech Republic, wrapping up the working visit to France and OECD./.