Phoc emphasised the country’s strategic priorities and concrete expectations from the EU’s Global Gateway initiative during his meeting with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela in Hanoi on May 24, as part of the EU-Vietnam Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum (GGBIF).

Welcoming Síkela’s visit, he highlighted the significance of the forum, noting that its first-ever organisation in Vietnam represents a concrete step in implementing the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the European Union, formalised in January 2026.

He emphasised the EU’s role as the world’s third-largest economy and a global leader in promoting sustainable development, green growth, circular economy, digital transformation, energy transition, and free trade. He affirmed that Vietnam strongly supports EU initiatives, particularly the Global Gateway strategy, as they align closely with Vietnam’s development priorities.

The Deputy PM also shared Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements following 40 years of reform, as well as the outcomes of the recent 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Vietnam, he said, remains committed to its long-term development goals, focusing on three strategic breakthroughs, namely improving institutions, developing modern and integrated infrastructure - especially expressways, high-speed rail, seaports, and airports, and enhancing high-quality human resources. The country is also accelerating growth model transformation driven by science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, and green and circular economy development.

Regarding Vietnam–EU relations, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that translating high-level commitments into practical cooperation programmes and projects, such as the GGBIF, is essential to creating new momentum for bilateral ties.

He called on the EU to support the effective implementation of Global Gateway projects in Vietnam, enhance development cooperation, and encourage European businesses to invest in major projects in the country. This includes opportunities in the newly established international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, contributing to stronger infrastructure connectivity, green and digital transitions, capacity building, and deeper integration of Vietnamese enterprises into EU supply chains.

Commissioner Síkela for his part expressed his pleasure at returning to Vietnam and co-chairing the first GGBIF, praising the country’s impressive socio-economic achievements and the growing strength of EU–Vietnam relations, particularly the recent upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He noted that his delegation includes senior policymakers and leading European businesses, including representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Increasingly, major EU companies are showing interest in investment and business opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure, transport connectivity, energy transition, and green, digital, and circular economy sectors.

Agreeing with the Deputy Prime Minister’s proposals, Síkela reaffirmed that the EU considers Vietnam a key partner in ASEAN. In a context of global economic uncertainty, he described Vietnam as a reliable partner with shared values in sustainable and human-centred development.

He also highlighted that the two sides have eliminated up to 99% of tariffs, and emphasised the need to further strengthen cooperation in investment, infrastructure connectivity, energy transition, and workforce development to support green, digital, and circular economic growth.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation under the new partnership framework, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and globally.

EU to channel EUR560 mln into Vietnam, prioritising modern transport, clean energy

VOV.VN - The European Union (EU) will invest EUR560 million in sustainable transport and clean energy to create jobs, boost sustainable economic growth, and reduce pollution in Vietnam, in line with the EU Global Gateway strategy.