EU support continues for maritime economy

Vietnam will be supported by the European Union in developing its maritime economy, in hopes that the bloc's restrictions on its seafood products will soon be removed.

- By Nguyen Dat

Last week in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, director for International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries, who was on a working visit to Vietnam to conduct the fifth inspection of the country's fight against IUU fishing.

Guimaraes noted that the EC has accompanied Vietnam in this effort for over eight years and has observed significant and steady progress, especially in establishing a robust fisheries control system, including vessel monitoring systems and seafood traceability mechanisms. This effort will be continued in the coming time, with more assistance for the country to develop its blue economy.

Vietnam and the EU in recent months have highlighted the importance of sustainable fisheries and commit to cooperation in this area, noting Vietnam's efforts in combating IUU fishing, and the timely lifting of the EU's yellow card restriction.

"Both sides intend to strengthen cooperation in developing a green economy and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, including aquaculture and fisheries exploitation, protection, regeneration and development of aquatic resources," read a joint statement on upgrading Vietnam-EU relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, released in January. "Both sides declared their determination to boost cooperation in developing a circular economy, greater forest management, ensuring biodiversity and marine biodiversity conservation and restoration, and disease prevention from animals to humans."