Hanoi (VNA) – The signing of the free trade agreement and the investmentprotection agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) is ahistorical milestone, demonstrating that their close cooperation has beenlifted to a new high, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom said on July1.

Ata meeting with Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh in Hanoi, Malmstromexpressed her hope for more effective collaboration in the time ahead once thedeals are put into place.

Thiswill likely bring about many opportunities and benefits to people andbusinesses of the two sides in not only economy but also other spheres, shestressed.

Forher part, Vice President Thinh thanked the EU official for her efforts inpromoting the signing of the comprehensive and high-quality agreements.

Overthe past time, Vietnam has worked hard to push ahead with internationaleconomic integration, Thinh said, noting her hope that the country will receivemore support and close coordination from the EU so that the two agreements willsoon come into force, bringing opportunities and practical benefits to peopleand businesses of both side.

The EU – VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU – Vietnam Investment ProtectionAgreement (EVIPA) were officially signed in Hanoi on June 30 afternoon, in thewitness of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vietnamese National Assembly andGovernment leaders, and leaders of the EU.-VNA