EU to import more Vietnamese seafood

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Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam expressed his hope at a working session with Mato Adrover, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, in Brussels, Belgium, on April 25. 

Tam emphasised that the relations between Vietnam and the EU in recent years have developed positively and deeply, particularly in trade.

He pointed out challenges that Vietnam’s fishery sector is facing, the biggest of which is keeping importers abreast of Vietnamese businesses’ efforts to increase the quality of aquatic products.

Tam suggested ways to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, including increasing dialogues and information exchanges, in the hope of receiving technical assistance and consultancy from the EU, to help Vietnamese seafood processors apply advanced technology and solve difficulties in exporting these products to the EU.

He also proposed that the European Committee and Vietnam co-chair a seminar in 2013 to assess the impact of regulations 1005 and 2008 on the fishery sector, with the participation of 9 ASEAN countries and Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Tam expressed hope that the two sides will boost co-ordination to make it easier for Vietnamese seafood products to enter the EU with low prices and costs.

Mato Adrover, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, affirmed that Vietnam and the EU have a common stance on aquaculture management and development.

He said that the application of regulation 1005 will benefit both sides.

He echoed Tam’s view that it is necessary to strengthen dialogues to promote mutual understanding and share experience between the EU, the European Parliament and Vietnam.  

He agreed to Vietnam’s proposals and said his committee is ready to support Vietnam in hosting the seminar in 2013.