During the meeting at the National Assembly Building, Chairman Man stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to relations with the EU and its member states. He highly values the role of parliamentary diplomacy in enhancing political trust, facilitating policy dialogue, and supporting the effective implementation of bilateral agreements.

The National Assembly of Vietnam stands ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the European Parliament and national parliaments of EU member states, including through delegation visits, experience sharing in legislation and oversight, and coordination on issues of common interest such as green growth, digital transformation, climate change response, and sustainable development, he told his guest.

The senior legislator welcomed the strong progress in Vietnam–EU relations in recent years, particularly the effective implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which has brought tangible benefits to businesses and people of both sides. Two-way trade reached nearly US$74 billion in 2025, making the EU Vietnam’s fourth largest trading partner.

He underlined the active role of the National Assembly of Vietnam in completing the legal framework and supervising the implementation of international commitments, including those under the EVFTA, and reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to create favourable conditions for EU enterprises to invest and operate in the country. He also called on the EU to promote the early ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

In the context of growing global challenges, Chairman Man said the upgrade of Vietnam–EU ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates the two sides’ shared determination to work closely together, support multilateralism, and promote free, fair, and rules-based trade.

For his part, EC President Costa welcomed the upgrade of relations, describing it as a new chapter in EU–Vietnam cooperation and the first Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established by the EU with an ASEAN member state.

He affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam a key partner in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific, and expressed support for strengthening cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the European Parliament as an important pillar of bilateral relations.

Both leaders agreed to further promote parliamentary exchanges, effectively implement the EVFTA, and expand cooperation into areas with great potential such as the digital economy, clean energy, maritime economy, infrastructure development, science and technology, and climate action.

They also agreed to continue close coordination at regional and international parliamentary forums, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development, including the maintenance of security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

On this occasion, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man asked President of the European Council Antonio Costa to convey his invitation to President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the coming time.

Vietnam seeks to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with EU

VOV.VN - Vietnam desires to further strengthen comprehensive, substantive and effective cooperation with the European Union following the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told European Council President Antonio Costa.