EU backs freedom of navigation and aviation in East Sea

The EU’s consistent stance is to support freedom of navigation and aviation, resolve disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
eu backs freedom of navigation and aviation in east sea hinh 0
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security.

Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy made the remarks during her talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on August 5 as part of her first official visit to Vietnam.

At the talks, the EU official expressed her delight at the trip and highlighted great strides in the Vietnam-EU relations, noting that the EU sees Vietnam as a leading partner in the region and desires to further step up cooperative relations with the Southeast Asian country.

Both sides highly rated the outcomes of high-level meetings between Vietnam and the EU over the past time as well as their partnerships across multiple fields ranging from politics, defence to economics-trade and development cooperation. They praised the recent signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). 

They underlined the need to deepen the bilateral cooperation towards a more dynamic period in line with their full potential and interests of both sides amidst their future celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2020.
The two sides agreed to intensify all-level exchanges and carry out cooperation mechanisms in the time to come and regarded economic, trade and investment cooperation as an important pillar of the Vietnam-EU ties. 

Minh expressed his confidence that Mogherini’s current visit will make considerable contributions to fostering the Vietnam-EU partnership and all-around cooperation. 

He thanked the EC and the Vice President for their efforts to speed up the EVFTA and EVIPA. 

eu backs freedom of navigation and aviation in east sea hinh 1

In reply, Mogherini described the signing of the trade deals as a landmark in the bilateral ties, and pledged to push ahead with ratification procedures, thereby delivering practical benefits to both sides. 

Minh was appreciative of the EU and EU member states’ support for Vietnam during the country’s socio-economic development and international integration, while asking the EU to maintain official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, enabling it to improve institutional capacity as well as ability to respond to climate change and spur sustainable development.

He urged the EU to soon remove “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports, and work hand in hand with Vietnam to actively implement the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT).

The EU official assured the EU’s readiness to cooperate with Vietnam in this regard, and maintain closer collaboration with the country.

The Vietnamese diplomat also applauded the EU’s role in global security and peace as well as the bloc’s stance on maintaining stability and ensuring respect of international law in the region and in the East Sea, particularly in the context that there are unilateral actions which cause growing tension, erode trust, infringe upon interests and violate sovereignty of numerous nations.

Federica Mogherini reiterated the EU’s consistent stance of supporting freedom of navigation and aviation, resolving disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Recent militarization and tension have negatively impacted on regional peace and stability, she said, voicing her hope that ASEAN and China will work to soon reach a legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Host and guest also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern, and consented to augment cooperation at multilateral forums, especially in 2020 when Vietnam assumes the role as the ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 towards stronger multilateral cooperation and ASEAN-EU collaboration, making greater contributions to peace, cooperation and development in the two regions and the world.

VOV

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.