Vietnamese Leader Meets French Senate President, Discusses EU Ties and Fishing Issues

A Vietnamese leader has met with the President of the French Senate in Paris, expecting the French National Assembly to soon complete the ratification of the European Union - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The Vietnamese side requested France to continue leveraging its role within the European Union to support stronger Vietnam-EU ties. They also discussed tackling the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing issue and the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. This meeting underscores the deepening cooperation between Vietnam and France across various sectors, including science, technology, workforce training, culture, economy, and finance. The early ratification of EVIPA is seen as crucial for Vietnam's economic growth and enhancing its international credibility. Vietnam, under its one-party system, is actively pursuing economic development. Strengthening ties with the EU is a key strategy to balance its economic and geopolitical relationship with China. EVIPA, once ratified, is expected to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam and enhance investor protection, further integrating Vietnam into the global market. Addressing the IUU fishing issue is vital for Vietnam to meet international sustainability standards and avoid trade barriers. The EU has been urging Vietnam on this front, and the confirmed cooperation in this meeting suggests progress in practical collaboration between the two nations.