Viet Nam, EU exchange views on human rights

BRUSSELS — A Vietnamese delegation participated in working sessions with relevant agencies from the European Union in Brussels on October 18-19 to exchange views on human rights.

The delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, met with officials from the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with various agencies from the European Commission's Directorate General for External Relations.

At the working session, Vietnamese officials explained Viet Nam's policies on promoting and ensuring human rights, which are manifested through an increasingly improved legal system and a mechanism for implementing human rights. Delegates also presented the results Viet Nam had gained in promoting and ensuring human rights, particularly in freedom of speech, press, belief and religion, as well as social, cultural and economic rights for everyone.

EU officials acknowledged the remarkable changes Viet Nam had recorded in political, socio-economic and legal fields, and affirmed their support for the country's renovation.

The two sides agreed that increasing dialogues and direct information exchange between EU and Vietnamese agencies would be a useful way of broadening mutual understanding and boosting the developing multilateral relations between Viet Nam and the EU. — VNS


(2010-10-22/vietnamnews)