Brussels, 28/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Andris Piebalgs, European Development Commissioner, is in Vietnam for a two-day visit to discuss bilateral cooperation and European development policy post-2013. Arriving in Hanoi on Wednesday 28 March, the commissioner was due to meet President Truong Tang Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, and several members of the government.
“The country has succeeded in lifting millions of citizens out of poverty through successful reforms (…). However, the development battle is not over yet. We encourage Vietnam to continue reforms that reduce poverty, further inclusive growth and promote human rights, good governance and the rule of law”, said the commissioner. Talks will also focus on trade and development and on all aspects of EU-Vietnam relations, which are covered by a new partnership and cooperation agreement that will be formally signed this year. With €754 million pledged to Vietnam in 2012, the EU and its member states are currently the largest donors to this country, which is on course to achieve all of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. (AN/transl.fl)