EU prepares new support program for Vietnam

On the occasion of attending the ASEM Conference of Ministers of Labor and Employment in Hanoi, on October 24, Deputy Minister in charge of Labor and Social Affairs of the European Union (EU) Koos Richelles met with the press to share about the labor and social situation of the European Union and related issues.

Mr. Koos Richelles. (Source: AP)

Responding to the development cooperation program between the EU and Vietnam in the newly signed Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), under which the EU commits to continue providing development aid to Vietnam after 2013, Deputy Minister Koos Richelles said that 2013 is the final year of the EU's development assistance program for Vietnam for the period 2007-2013, and the EU is preparing a new assistance program for the period 2014-2020.

The EU will hold close discussions to understand the socio-economic development goals that host countries want to achieve when receiving official development assistance (ODA). The EU wants to hear Vietnam’s views on specific areas of support.

In the past, the EU supported development in individual projects. In the future, the EU will focus on supporting industry sectors, taking into account the impact of the policies implemented by those sectors on beneficiaries.

Deputy Minister Koos Richelles said the ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers' Conference in Hanoi is an opportunity for the European Union to share information and experience on current challenges in employment and social security in the EU.

With the current unemployment rate in the EU averaging 10%, of which young workers (18-25 years old) account for 25%, with Spain and Greece alone having rates above 50%, the EU is planning to invest in the young workforce; find solutions to address the aging population and declining birth rate by extending the retirement age and adopting new methods of operating the social security system...../.

According to (TTXVN)-LT