Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting its economic, trade and investment co-operation with the EU, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.

PM Dung made the statement while receiving EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, who is on a working visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on March 2.

The government leader welcomed Karel De Gucht’s first visit to Vietnam in his capacity as EU Trade Commissioner, saying that the visit would contribute to further promoting the Vietnam-EU co-operation.

In its capacity as ASEAN President, Vietnam wants to accelerate negotiations on the Partnership and Comprehensive Co-operation Agreement (PCA) and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU, the PM affirmed.

For this purpose, he said, Vietnam and the EU should focus on removing hindrances, including the EU’s extension of anti-dumping duties on Vietnam’s leather-capped shoes that has caused many difficulties to workers.

He went on to say that Vietnam, which has set up trade ties with almost all countries, has successfully shifted to the market economy and deeply integrated into the world’s economy, being an active member of the World Trade Organisation.

PM Dung proposed that the EU soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy.

Trade commissioner Karel De Gucht agreed that both sides should continue boosting the friendly co-operative ties, especially in economics, trade and investment.

He expressed his hope that the two sides would actively negotiate to sign the PCA and the FTA soon.

The same day, the EC announced that the EU agreed to start its negotiations with Vietnam on signing an FTA with the country.

The commission said that the two sides are preparing for official negotiations and have reached agreement on the negotiation framework.

It said it would discuss the next steps with the European Council and Parliament.

Vietnam is the fifth largest ASEAN trade partner of the EU. Two-way trade turnover between EU-Vietnam rose by 12% during 2004-2008 to approximately EUR 12 billion in 2008. (VNA)