He made the statement while meeting with PM Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the 3^rd Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The EU is the biggest trade partner and ODA provider, a top investor of Viet Nam.

The two-way trade value increased by 16% against 2012 to nearly US$34 billion.

PM Dung said that international community’s support, including the EU, is important for Viet Nam to maintain its achievements in poverty reduction and coping with non-traditional security challenges.

President Barroso affirmed that he would strive to boost the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed between Viet Nam and the EU.

Both sides discussed on the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) talks scheduled to complete before the 10^th Asia-Europe Summit in October this year.

PM Dung asked the EU to take into account Viet Nam’s development level for a balanced agreement that benefits both sides.

The Government chief also asked the European Commission to speed up its recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy status no later than the time when both side complete EVFTA talks.

As the coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations, Viet Nam attaches importance to collaborating closely with the EU to strengthen the ASEAN-EU dialogue ties, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

On the occasion, President Barroso invited PM Dung to visit the European Commission on the occasion of the 10^th Asia-Europe Summit./.