PM Chinh calls on the EC to soon remove its ‘yellow card’ warning on Vietnamese fisheries

PM Pham Minh Chinh asked the Germany to facilitate the exports of seafood and agriculture products from Vietnam to Germany and urged the EC to soon remove its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese fisheries

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had an online talk with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday.

During the talk, Chinh congratulated Germany on its achievements in controlling COVID-19 and praised the European country’s contribution as one of the biggest sponsors for the COVAX initiative.

He said that he hoped Germany would create favourable conditions for Vietnam to early access vaccine supplies and transfer vaccine production technology to Vietnam. 

He also extended thanks to the authorities and people of German states for donating Vietnam one million rapid test kits.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel highly appreciated Vietnam’s achievements in the COVID-19 prevention and control and praised the solidarity and mutual support of the two countries during the pandemic, affirming the policy of strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in the COVID-19 fight.

In addition, PM Chinh called on the German government to facilitate Vietnam's export of seafood and agriculture products to Germany, especially seasonal fruit, and urge the EC to soon remove the yellow card warning in Vietnamses fisheries. 

He said he also expected Germany to soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

In this regard, Merkel affirmed that the EVIPA was an important momentum for the bilateral ties economically and strategically, and stressed that German firms paid great attention to Vietnam, especially in renewable energy, infrastructure and manufacturing.

To boost the two countries' multi-faceted cooperation, especially when they are celebrating their 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-German strategic partnership (2011-2021), the two leaders agreed to soon resume their exchange of high-ranking delegations and meetings, and consolidate existing cooperation mechanisms, including the Vietnam-Germany Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.

They were happy to see the positive results of the bilateral economic cooperation despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Germany remained one of Vietnam’s top trade partners in the EU with the two-way trade reached US$10 billion while Vietnam is Germany’s largest trade partner in ASEAN.

The leaders pledged to collaborate closely to fully tap opportunities brought about by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). 

They affirmed their co-operation and support to each other in international forums and organisations, particularly their roles in promoting the ASEAN-EU relationship.

Regarding the East Sea issues, they shared the view that ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation, security and peace in the waters, and upholding the rule of law are the common interests of the international community. 

They agreed to urge relevant parties to fully and seriously observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work towards a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

PM Chinh took the occasion to invite Merkel to visit Vietnam, and the German leader accepted the invitation with pleasure

Source: Nongnghiep.vn