Vietnam Urges Greece to Enhance Cooperation Framework, Promote EVIPA Ratification and "Yellow Card" Removal

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on July 17, urging Greece to improve the legal framework for bilateral cooperation. The Prime Minister also urged Greece to promote the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the remaining EU members, and to support the removal of the EC's "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports. He took the occasion to congratulate Greece upon its socio-economic achievements as well as its rising international standing, affirming that Viet Nam treasures the relations with Greece – one of Viet Nam's traditional partners. Foreign Minister Gerapetritis spoke highly of Viet Nam's impressive development achievements, its increasingly important role in ASEAN, as well as the progress in the Viet Nam-EU relations. Gerapetritis affirmed that his country attaches great importance to the relations with Viet Nam, and stands ready to serve as a bridge to foster the relations between Viet Nam and the EU. Greece supports the EVIPA, the removal of yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, as well as the removal of Viet Nam from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, affirmed Gerapetritis. Both sides expressed their wish to enhance coordination and mutual support at the United Nations and multilateral forums, and promote the relations between ASEAN and the EU. The two sides also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation, settling disputes via peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./. As a socialist republic maintaining a one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes economic growth. While maintaining deep economic ties with China, Vietnam also seeks to strengthen relations with Western countries, including the European Union, to maintain geopolitical balance. The promotion of EVIPA ratification is a crucial step towards deepening economic ties with the EU, potentially enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam's export industries, especially the seafood sector, in international markets. However, delays in ratification by EU member states and trade barriers like the "yellow card" warning remain challenges for the Vietnamese economy.