This view was offered by Deputy Director General for External Relations of the European Commission (EC) Stefano Sannino at a press briefing after the seventh session of the European Community-Vietnam Joint Commission in Hanoi on Nov. 26.

The EC applauded Vietnam ’s priorities in its capacity as ASEAN President in 2010, affirming its close cooperation with the country in promoting the integration of ASEAN and enhancing that between EU and ASEAN.

Both sides said that the EU-ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting to be held in Spain and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit to be held in Belgium in 2010 will be important opportunities to solidify bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation.

For his part, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong lauded the EC’s support of Vietnam ’s socio-economic development plan over the past years and hoped that the relationship with the EC will be maximised to match its potential.

During the session, both sides reviewed the developments in the Vietnam-EC relationship since the previous session held in the Belgian city of Brussels in November 2007. They also discussed political and economic developments in the EU and Vietnam .

The EC praised Vietnam ’s consistent progresses in economic, administrative, legal and judicial reforms as well as its efforts to promote its global integration as a member of the World Trade Organisation, a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN.

Both sides committed to negotiating the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which is considered to be a foundation for developing the existing cooperation framework, and expanding and diversifying dialogues and cooperation between the EU and Vietnam in various fields ranging from trade, investment, aviation, technology, and education to natural resources and the environment.

The EC reaffirmed its pledge to provide development assistance to Vietnam ’s socio-economic development and reform from now through 2013, with a focus on hunger eradication and poverty reduction, healthcare, and administrative and judicial reform.

The EC also pledged to provide 2 million EUR to Vietnam ’s research programme on nuclear energy safety and the implementation of a judicial partnership project with Vietnam in 2010.