Vietnam-EU justice cooperation bears fruits: conference

The Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the EU Delegation to Vietnam and the UN in Vietnam organised a conference to review the EU Justice and Legal Empowerment Programme (EU JULE) in the Southeast Asian country on May 31.
Representatives from ministries, agencies and organisations at the conference. (Photo: The Ministry of Justice)
Representatives from ministries, agencies and organisations at the conference. (Photo: The Ministry of Justice)

The EU JULE, which consists of two components of Pillar Assessed Grant or Delegation Agreement (PAGoDA) and Justice Initiatives Facilitation Fund (JIFF), was carried out from August 18, 2018 to May 31, 2024, with financial contributions from several UN organisations such as UNDP and UNICEF.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc highlighted that the Vietnamese legal and justice system has been unceasingly reformed and completed, creating legal foundation and confidence for socio-economic development and improving locals’ material and spiritual lives.

He stressed that the results have been buoyed by Vietnam’s intrinsic strength as well as support and cooperation from international partners, with the EU and UN organisations playing a positive role.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, expressed his delight over the success of the project after six years of implementation, especially enhancing the transparency of the Vietnamese justice system.

The EU will continue its support for Vietnam in managing and building a rule-of-law state as well as promote bilateral cooperation activities, he highlighted.

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis described the project as an example of the close partnership between a UN member with the EU, international organisations, JIFF beneficiaries and the UN development system.

She went on to say that the project has helped raise the awareness of laws among vulnerable groups such as women, children and people with disabilities, as well as complete and improve the justice support system.

The UN stands ready to cooperate with Vietnamese partners and the EU to promote the positive results of the project, contributing to building the socialist rule-of-law state to serve the Vietnamese people and consolidate the country’s position as a leading nation in implementing the Sustainable Development Goal on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

The project not only brought about technical support and international experience to Vietnamese organisations but also helped the country to popularise its legal regulations, helping the international community get a better insight into its legal system and achievements in justice reform.

VNA