High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission meets EuroCham in Hanoi

On 31 July, as part of his official visit to Vietnam, H.E. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, participated in a working lunch with the EU Delegation to Vietnam and EuroCham.

The meeting, which took place in Hanoi, brought together:

From the European Commission and the EU Delegation –

  • H.E. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
  • H.E. Julien Guerrier, European Union Ambassador to Vietnam
  • Nereo Peñalver Garcia, Senior Adviser (Cabinet Expert) to HR/VP Borrell
  • Dr. Carsten Schittek, Minister Counsellor and Head of Trade Section of the EU Delegation to Vietnam

From EuroCham – 

  • Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice-Chairman
  • Bruno Jaspaert, Advisory Board Member
  • Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch, Advisory Board Member
  • Dinh Nguyen, Vice-Chairman of the EuroCham Vietnam Green Growth Sector Committee and Head of its Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Working Group
  • Van Nguyen, Head of EuroCham’s Hanoi Office cum External Relations Manager

The discussion covered a range of crucial topics affecting EU-Vietnam relations and economic cooperation:

  • EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA): Participants examined the impact of the EVFTA on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam, assessing its role in strengthening economic ties between the EU and Vietnam.
  • Sustainable Investment: The group explored strategies for successful and sustainable long-term investments in Vietnam, sharing insights on best practices and key factors for success.
  • Investment Challenges: EuroCham representatives highlighted challenges faced by investors during both the investment phase and project operations, providing valuable feedback for policymakers.
  • Energy Landscape: The meeting addressed Vietnam’s current energy situation and the country’s efforts to transition towards cleaner energy sources, a topic of increasing importance in the context of global climate commitments.
  • Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP): Discussions included Vietnam’s plans to diversify its energy mix and the role of the JETP in supporting this transition.
  • Labour Market: Participants examined the availability and conditions for highly skilled workers in Vietnam, a critical factor for foreign investors and companies operating in the country.

This high-level meeting underscores the importance of the EU-Vietnam relationship and the role of EuroCham in facilitating dialogue between European businesses and Vietnamese authorities. It provided a platform for frank discussions on the opportunities and challenges in the Vietnamese market, particularly in the context of the EVFTA and global sustainability goals.

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Marieke Van Der PIJL

VICE CHAIR

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