An overview of working session between Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala |
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong spoke highly of the cooperation developments between Viet Nam and the EU, particularly in terms of investment.
He said that after the EU made the nine recommendations, Viet Nam was quick to complete its national institutions and laws, including the new Law on Fisheries, which has put the nine recommendations into a solid legal framework.
Viet Nam has also paid attention to forestry development. Currently, the country has 14 million hectares of forests, with forest coverage reaching 41.65% – a high rate both regionally and globally.
The country is building up its forestry economy with the participation of some 4,500 relevant enterprises. Last year, the sector enjoyed an export turnover of over US$9 billion, he stated.
In the field of sustainable development, the EU is considered Viet Nam’s top development partner with the two main pillars of maritime economy and forest development.
In 2017, the EU issued a “yellow card” warning for Viet Nam for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; along with nine recommendations to help the country develop more sustainable fisheries.
The signing of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) between Viet Nam and the EU offers a chance for the Southeast Asian nation to restructure the sector towards a transparent production chain, from materials to processing and trading, he stressed.
By Hoang Ha