The third meeting of the Sub-Committee on Political Issues under the European Union (EU) – Viet Nam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) met in Ha Noi on 8 June.

Both parties had an open and constructive exchange on a wide range of subjects. The meeting confirmed the interest on both sides to continue to strengthen the comprehensive partnership in the context of the EU Strategy for Cooperation with the Indo-Pacific and Viet Nam’s sustainable development goals in a number of areas, including environment, climate change, energy transition, innovation, digital economy, infrastructure, security and defence.

The EU and Viet Nam expressed their mutual appreciation of the regular exchanges of high – level delegations. They welcomed progress in trade relations under the Viet Nam – EU Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to the early entry into force of the Viet Nam - EU Investment Protection Agreement. The EU took note of Viet Nam’s proposal to lift the yellow card on IUU fishing.

Both sides discussed domestic political priorities, alongside global and regional issues, including EU-ASEAN relations, the situation in Myanmar, the Mekong sub-region, relations with major partners and the South China Sea. The EU and Viet Nam reaffirmed the importance of peace, security, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the international law, in particular the 1982 UNCLOS which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in oceans and seas must be carried out.

They also underscored the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. The EU and Viet Nam emphasized that the international order based on international law must respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, transparency, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Both sides confirmed they will carry out a stocktaking of bilateral relations at the next Joint Committee that will take place in Brussels.

Mr. Le Vinh Thang, Deputy Director General of Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and Ms Barbara Plinkert, Head of Division for South East Asia in the European External Action Service co-chaired the meeting.