Prime Minister meets world's leaders on sidelines of EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had bilateral meetings with leaders of Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Croatia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission in Brussels on Wednesday.
At his meeting with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Pham suggested both countries step up economic cooperation and expand cooperation in such new areas like climate change, energy transition, digital economy, and green growth.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz affirmed Germany expects to coordinate with Viet Nam in deepening the Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership in an effective, practical, and comprehensive manner.
Both sides agreed to maintain mutual support and coordination over regional and international issues, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the two regions and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Giorgia Meloni upon her election as the Prime Minister of Italy.
Pham affirmed Viet Nam attaches great importance to the relationship with Italy - an important member of the European Union and one of Viet Nam's top economic and development partners.
Pham took the occasion to extend thanks to Italy for sharing COVID-19 vaccines with Viet Nam.
He suggested both sides fully tap the opportunities brought by the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in a bid to raise the two-way trade to US$7 billion over the next two to three years.
The Vietnamese Government chief urged Italy to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and support the EU's removal of the "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood to facilitate export of Vietnamese seadfood to the EU and Italy.
Prime Minister Pham invited Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to visit Viet Nam and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Portugese Prime Minister António Costa in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
During his meeting with Portugese Prime Minister António Costa, both sides expressed their pleasure at the positive growth of the bilateral ties in recent years.
They agreed on measures to further foster the ties in the time ahead, especially in such fields like economy, trade and investment.
Pham urged Portugal to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement, support the EU's removal of the "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports, and strengthen cooperation in tourism, science and technology, green growth, and digital transformation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
At his meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Viet Nam always treasures the traditional friendship and fine cooperation with the Czech Republic, and thanked the European country for its valueable support for Viet Nam's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He suggested the Czech Republic facilitate the import of Viet Nam's garment and textile, aquatic products, vegetables and fruits, beef up education cooperation with Viet Nam, and support the EU's early removal of the "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
At his meeting with Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Government and people of Poland for supporting Viet Nam in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that it is the right time for both countries to further boost cooperation for post-pandemic recovery.
Pham suggested both countries should focus on accelerating trade, effectively utilize the EU-Viet Nam free trade agreement in a bid to raise the two-way trade to US$3 billion over the next two to three years.
He called on Poland to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam investment protection agreement and support the EU's removal of the "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Greece's Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Greek counterpart Kyriákos Mitsotákis expressed their pleasure at the remarkable developments in the Viet Nam-Greece relations across all fields over the past 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Both sides agreed to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, considering it the top priority in the bilateral ties, and coordinate closely at regional and international forums.
The two sides affirmed the importance of promoting dialogues, reinforcing trust, and settling disputes peacefully with respect for the rule of law, thus contributing to consolidating the environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
Meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Viet Nam always attaches great importance to the relations with the EU, as evidenced by the fact that Viet Nam was the first ASEAN member country to have established mechanisms on economic, defense and security cooperation with the EU.
Pham expressed his wish that both Viet Nam and the EU should coordinate closely in implementing the EU-Viet Nam free trade agreement, and the EU should soon remove its "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports.
He also urged the European Commission to accelerate the process of ratifying the EU-Viet Nam investment protection agreement (EVIPA) in order to open up new opportunities for businesses of the two sides.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with President of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022. Photo: VGP
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the European Council Charles Michel expressed their pleasure at the positive development of the Viet Nam-EU relations, particularly in the last 10 years since the two sides elevated ties to comprehensive partnership and cooperation in 2012.
Both sides agreed to double efforts to reinforce the bilteral ties in a greener, clearner and more sustainable manner./.

