Vietnam and EU reaffirm commitment to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The commitment was made following talks in Brussels on 22 October 2026 between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the Vietnamese leader’s official visit to the EU.

Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening resilience, diversifying partnerships and promoting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, including through the implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They welcomed the positive momentum in Vietnam–EU relations since the relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026.

The two sides pledged to deepen this partnership by promoting investment under the Global Gateway initiative and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). They also stressed the importance of fully implementing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and securing the early ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Cooperation is also set to expand in critical raw materials, technology and innovation, education and training, the green transition, strategic infrastructure, the circular economy and the blue economy. Both sides agreed to work towards developing cooperation on critical raw materials and to strengthen collaboration in these areas.

On defence and security, Vietnam and the EU recognised the potential for cooperation in line with their respective laws, priorities and policies. They highlighted the role of the Vietnam–EU Defence and Security Dialogue and existing cooperation frameworks, including those covering maritime safety and security, cybersecurity, crisis management and capacity-building.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, including through relevant specialised dialogue mechanisms.

On wider regional and global issues, Vietnam and the EU emphasised the importance of multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Costa and von der Leyen commended Vietnam’s constructive role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two sides also looked ahead to the ASEAN–EU Commemorative Summit in 2027, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN–EU relations.

Vietnam values EU as priority partner, seeks deeper strategic ties

VOV.VN - Vietnam regards the European Union (EU) as one of its priority partners and seeks to make the Vietnam–EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership deeper, more substantive and more effective.