Vietnam and the EU Strengthen Cooperation in Agriculture and Environmental Protection

On the afternoon of November 12, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trần Đức Thắng held a meeting with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam, led by Ambassador Julien Guerrier. The meeting demonstrated Vietnam’s goodwill and desire to work with the European Union to address existing challenges and strengthen Vietnam–EU cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environmental protection.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Trần Đức Thắng emphasized that Vietnam wishes to strengthen its cooperative relations with the EU and its member states based on trust, mutual benefit, and sustainable development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is actively working to resolve obstacles in the circulation of agricultural, forestry, and seafood products, combat IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing, and comply with the EU’s deforestation regulations (EUDR).

Minister Trần Đức Thắng stated: “The Prime Minister regularly monitors and directs ministries, agencies, and 21 coastal provinces to implement coordinated measures against IUU fishing. The current system for managing and monitoring fishing vessels has been strengthened. As of October 17, 2025, more than 80,000 fishing vessels have been registered in VNFishbase, which is synchronized with VNeID, VMS, and eCDT to support management and monitoring.”

The fisheries legal framework has been completed and harmonized, with consultations from the European Commission (EC) and incorporation of international regulations into domestic law, particularly the recommendations on IUU fishing. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued 11 Circulars guiding the implementation of the Law.

The Minister proposed that the EU organize the 5th EC Inspection Delegation to Vietnam as soon as possible to directly acknowledge the significant progress in combating IUU fishing, aiming to lift the “yellow card” at the earliest opportunity.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier highly appreciated Vietnam’s progress in implementing the EC’s recommendations at both central and local levels. “The EU recognizes substantial improvements in the control and traceability of fishing vessels, as well as the increase in forest areas and natural forest restoration, contributing to Vietnam’s 'low-risk' status under the EUDR framework,” the Ambassador affirmed.

At the meeting, both sides also discussed accelerating the approval process for a technical support project in Vietnam’s forestry sector worth €20 million, which is expected to be completed before the end of this year. The EU also proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on circular economy cooperation and climate change response, aiming to concretize the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the EU in agriculture and environmental protection.

Currently, Vietnam–EU market access is progressing positively. In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s exports of agricultural, forestry, and seafood products to the EU reached USD 5.77 billion, a 45.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Many products have been approved by the EU, and both sides are working on key dossiers, accelerating progress and maintaining regular coordination mechanisms to ensure no disruption to the agricultural season.

Minister Trần Đức Thắng expressed his hope that both sides would create even more favorable conditions to eliminate barriers that disrupt trade. Sharing with Ambassador Julien Guerrier, the Minister stated that the Ministry will develop mechanisms and livelihood support models so that local communities genuinely benefit from forest protection and development, thereby contributing to fulfilling international commitments on emission reduction and biodiversity conservation.

At the meeting, the ambassadors of EU member states Romania, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Denmark also shared numerous initiatives to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Romania expressed its desire to promote the licensing of animal protein exports to Vietnam. Spain indicated its readiness to share sustainable fisheries techniques and experience in preventing illegal fishing, cooperate with businesses in building wind power plants, and facilitate the export of oranges and poultry, while expanding cooperation in food safety.

The Italian ambassador proposed enhancing trade in apples, while Poland and Denmark emphasized their desire to continue supporting Vietnam in green transition, emission reduction, and renewable energy development.

The Minister expressed his expectation that EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier will play a positive role within the EU bloc, enabling both sides to promote bilateral trade in agricultural, forestry, and seafood products, sustainable natural resource management projects, and to elevate Vietnam–EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the near future.

Source: Agriculture and Environment Newspaper