Pleased to welcome Ms. Dora Correia and the EU delegation, Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh highly appreciated the development of Vietnam - EU relations in recent times, demonstrated through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels between the two sides, especially the signing of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh said that Vietnam has been implementing its commitments in the EVFTA Agreement well, clearly demonstrated through the promulgation of the 2019 Labour Code.

This Code has many new and progressive points, approaching international labour standards, focusing on the rights and interests of workers, and enhancing the position of workers in labour relations.

Regarding ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the right to organize, Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh said that Vietnam has been carefully and thoroughly studying Vietnam's obligations when joining the Convention, assessing the compatibility of Vietnamese laws, and learning from experiences from countries around the world.

In addition, the Deputy Minister provided more information about the draft revised Trade Union Law being discussed at this National Assembly session. This draft has many progressive contents related to workers' rights.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to study the accession to Convention 87 on the basis of consulting relevant ministries, branches, and agencies; surveying and assessing the practical situation...

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Dora Correia assessed Vietnam as one of the EU's important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two sides also agreed to upgrade bilateral relations in the coming time. Vietnam has made great strides in its efforts to reform labor laws and ensure workers' rights according to the commitments in the EVFTA.

She believed that Vietnam will soon ratify its accession to Convention 87 and adopt the Decree regulating the Organization of Workers' Representatives and Collective Bargaining.

At the same time, she affirmed that she will support Vietnam in implementing its commitments related to sustainable development, decent work and other commitments in the EVFTA so that trade cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union will increasingly develop./.