- H.E Franz Jessen, Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation in Hanoi,
- Distinguished Ambassadors and Representatives from EU Member States Missions in Hanoi,
- Distinguished guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honor to be here today. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to warmly welcome all distinguished guests and representatives from EU Member States Missions in Hanoi, Ministries, central agencies as well as provinces in Vietnam to the Seminar. Your participation showcases an increasingly close and deepened cooperative relations as well as reflecting the need to further intensify the cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU. I am confident that your valuable contributions to the Seminar will add considerably to the furtherance of cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU in years to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our Seminar is held at a time when Viet Nam - EU relations is witnessing very fine developments. European Union is one of the most important partner of Viet Nam in many areas ranging from politic - diplomacy, development cooperation, trade -  investment, science - technology and in response to global challenges. The official signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU on 27th June 2012 and the first round of negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the EU from 8th to 12th October 2012 are very important developments which bring Viet Nam - EU relations to a new phase of larger and deeper scope and level of cooperation, and of mutual benefit. In a next few days, we will witness a vivid manifestation of the fine friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU with the first ever visit to Viet Nam by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy on 31st October 2012. In that context, our Seminar today under the theme “Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between Viet Nam and the EU: A new framework for Vietnam - EU cooperation” co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU Delegation in Hanoi is not only timely but also useful and meaningful.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations on 28 November 1990, Viet Nam - EU relations have developed rapidly both at length and in depth. This dynamic development required a new framework for the Viet Nam - EU relations to replace the 1995 Framework Agreement. On that basis, in June 2005, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam approved the Master Plan on Viet Nam - EU relations through to 2010 and orientations to 2015, aiming towards the establishment of an “equal partnership, comprehensive and long-term cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU for peace and development” and tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to negotiate and sign the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. After two years with nine rounds of negotiation, the signing of the PCA has marked an important development in the relations between Viet Nam and the EU, from a position of the EU as a donor supporting Viet Nam in development, poverty reduction, economic transition to an equal partnership and comprehensive cooperation, mutually beneficial, in commensurate with the intensified unification and the role of the EU in the 21st century, as well as with the stature and strength of Viet Nam after 25 years of renovation and successful integration. PCA not only regulates bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the EU in areas like development cooperation, economic - trade, education - training, science - technology, agriculture, health, tourism… but also governs cooperation in regional and international fora, cooperation to address global challenges such as climate change, environment, disaster, energy security, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and organized crime.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Viet Nam - EU relations are enjoying bright prospects. The PCA will contribute importantly to the formation of the development of the Viet Nam - EU relations in many years to come. Our tasks are to turn agreements in the PCA into concrete and useful cooperation results, thus bringing mutual benefit, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in the world. Along that line, I would like to propose that our discussions in the Seminar focus on:
 
First: Provide infomation and comprehensive overview of the PCA so that we would be able to grasp the purposes, principles, scope, areas and forms of cooperation in the PCA; through which we can identify and set targets, and concrete cooperation plans between our own agencies with relevant partners from the EU;

Second: Our Seminar should also discuss the impacts of the PCA to the Viet Nam - EU relations, both opportunities and challenges, especially in the area of economic and trade, one of the most important pillars in the Viet Nam - EU relations;

Third: The Seminar today gathers representatives, experts, policy makers and those who directly involved in the implementation of the PCA from both sides. Therefore, it will be a good opportunity for us to discuss concrete measures to implement the PCA in the time to come. Ideas and suggestions come out from the Seminar today will be important inputs for our new cooperation plans as well as continue to implement those areas that have been agreed by the two sides.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After 25 years of implementing Doi Moi policy, Viet Nam continues to achieve important success: political and social stability; high economic growth; improvement of the livelihood of the people. However, with low starting point and suffering unfavorable impacts from the current global financial crisis, Viet Nam should strive its utmost to ensure macro - economic stability, maintain reasonable growth and at the same time pays due attention to sustainable development, ensure social welfare, aiming towards the goal of becoming a modern, industrialized country by 2020. On that path of development, Viet Nam needs the supports and cooperation from international community, among which the role of the EU is very important. PCA will be the main framework for Viet Nam to foster its relations with the EU. I am convinced that the Seminar today, with your valuable participation and inputs, will help further promote the efficient and concrete cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU in the time to come.

Finally, once again, I would like to thank the EU Delegation in Ha Noi for its close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organizing this Seminar.

I would like to announce the opening of the Seminar: “Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between Viet Nam and the EU: A new framework for cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU” and would like to wish every success to the Seminar.

Thank you./.