This was the main message of Ambassador Bruno Angelet, the new Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam during a press conference yesterday.
Ambassador Angelet used to be Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam during the 2011 to 2015. In his new role, he hopes to focus on poverty reduction programmes, improvements to the judiciary and speeding up procedures to have the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement signed by this year’s end.
The EU is Vietnam’s second biggest trade partner and leading ODA donor. Vietnam and the EU are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations this year.
For the past 25 years, Vietnam and the EU have achieved a lot. Through various multilateral and bilateral projects, member countries and the EU have established strong relations with Vietnam based on trust and mutual understanding. VTV4 had an exclusive interview Ambassador Bruno Angelet and discussed his new term as the Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
Thanks for the interview. Firstly, can I congratulate you on your new role as the Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam. Could you share with us your priorities in your new term?
Ambassador BRUNO ANGELET, New Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam: Vietnam has always held an important position in the EU’s policies for the past 25 years. We have implemented many co-operative development programmes in Vietnam. The EU and Vietnam have concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement. Over the last 3 years, the two sides have worked on a strategic partnership agreement. My priority is to implement all the agreements that have been signed. We will continue with our existing projects to develop renewable energy and electricity in remote areas. We will also assist in strengthening Vietnam’s judiciary. Regarding trade and investment, the two sides need to find ways to have the FTA signed, ratified and take effect. We are offering support to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as support in science and innovation including astronomy.
In which sectors will the EU’s ODA focus on in the coming years?
In the past, the EU ODA to Vietnam used to be spread over many fields including healthcare and agriculture. However, last year, during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Brussels, the two sides agreed to focus on energy and judiciary. Regarding energy, we will assist with poverty reduction by helping the poorest regions get access to electricity and assist the government in developing renewable and clean energy. The second priority will be enhancing judiciary so that courts can act in a more efficient and transparent way.
Vietnam is the second ASEAN country negotiating with the EU for a free trade agreement. What benefits will Vietnam gain from this trade pact?
We hope that the FTA will be signed during a Vietnamese delegation’s visit to the EU in late November or early December. This trade deal will be beneficial to Vietnam. We believe that Vietnam’s economy has huge potential in ASEAN and an appealing destination for European investors. But I must highlight that FTA negotiations were tough, but implementing it will be even tougher. We hope that the Vietnamese government will issue measures to help the private sector benefit from the trade deal.
Thank you very much !
