Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party’s Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has called on member nations of the European Union to continue investing in the development of the southern metropolis in 2018.

Secretary Nhan convened a meeting with a delegation of ambassadors and representatives from European Union member nations on Thursday evening to discuss development plans and opportunities for 2018.

During the gathering, Nhan briefed the guests on the city’s socio-economic development, urging EU member states to support, cooperate, and invest in a variety of fields, including technology, education and training, and high-quality human resources.

Regarding infrastructure development, the southern Vietnamese city is seeking financial assistance and experience on building a modern traffic model based on successful initiatives in other nations, Nhan stated.

Ambassadors and representatives from European Union member nations at the meeting. Photo: Tuoi Tre

He highlighted that the metropolis has been facing other problems including waste, energy, flooding caused by high tide and heavy rains, and subsidence.

An investment cooperation forum between Ho Chi Minh City and partners from the EU, and an annual meeting between the city’s leaders and representatives from EU member nations, will be arranged in the near future, Nhan added.

Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, expressed a belief that 2018 is going to be a great year for the relationship between the two parties.

Dutch Ambassador Nienke Trooster speaks at the gathering. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Cooperation in trade, education, tourism, science, technology, and energy are also expected to be enhanced over the next twelve months.

Ambassador Angelet pointed out common goals shared by Vietnam and the EU in international integration, security, national defense, and diplomacy, affirming that the bloc supports Vietnam in reaching its objectives.

Both sides should outline a cooperation plan to implement the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), and aim for the official signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year, he said.

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