At the meeting, Party chief To Lam highly appreciated the sentiments, role, and contributions of the EU Ambassador and the EU Delegation to the development of the Vietnam–EU relationship.

He expressed his belief that with the efforts of both sides, the Vietnam–EU partnership will continue to be strengthened, made more substantive, and elevated to a new height.

The Party General Secretary emphasized that the EU is one of Vietnam’s leading foreign policy partners, and noted with satisfaction that over the 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations (1990–2025), bilateral ties have seen dynamic and comprehensive development across all fields.

The two sides are currently carrying out four cooperation agreements and eight dialogue mechanisms covering areas ranging from politics and diplomacy to trade, investment, defense, and security. The EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), five years into its enforcement, has created fresh momentum for bilateral trade, making Vietnam the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, while the EU is now Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner and sixth-largest investor. In 2024, two-way trade turnover reached nearly US$70 billion, and EU investment in Vietnam exceeded US$30 billion.

Expressing his honor and sincere thanks to Party chief To Lam for the meeting, Ambassador Julien Guerrier congratulated Vietnam on its development achievements after 50 years of national reunification. He affirmed that Vietnam is a reliable and prioritized partner of the EU in the Asia–Pacific region, and praised the country’s rising role and position, particularly as it enters a new era.

Regarding measures to enhance bilateral ties, the Party chief stressed that 2025 holds special significance for both sides as it marks 35 years of cooperation and development. Amid the current complex geopolitical and trade landscape, he underscored the need for both parties to strengthen cooperation, reinforce political trust, engage in thorough dialogue, and agree on a roadmap to elevate their relationship in a substantive and quality-oriented manner that harmonizes both sides’ interests.

He also called for intensified high-level exchanges and delegation visits, and more effective implementation of the EVFTA to further boost trade and investment ties.

The General Secretary reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, seeking equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with all partners, including the EU and its member states.

He laid stress on the importance of fostering balanced and sustainable trade and investment cooperation in pursuit of shared sustainable development goals. On this basis, he welcomed EU interest in cooperating with Vietnam in areas such as green and digital transformation, sustainable development, science and technology, innovation, renewable energy, sustainable transport infrastructure, defense industry, human resource training, and legal affairs.

He also proposed joint efforts to deal with outstanding trade issues under the EVFTA and agreed on the need to improve the efficiency of EU development aid to Vietnam.

He affirmed that Vietnam remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainable development, and that all policies of the Party and State aim to serve the people. Stressing the importance of education–training and people-to-people, youth-to-youth exchanges between Vietnam and the EU, Lam suggested that both sides work to facilitate visa issuance for their respective citizens.

On regional and international matters, the Party chief reiterated that Vietnam is a peace-loving nation and a responsible member of the international community in resolving regional and global issues.

Both sides shared the view that Vietnam and the EU have a common interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world to support development. They agreed on the importance of strengthening ASEAN–EU cooperation, and ensuring peace and stability in the East Sea, a region of strategic importance for global trade.

Ambassador Guerrier echoed the Party chief’s views on science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of growth and prosperity. He affirmed that the EU stands ready to support Vietnam in its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The EU also looks to deepen cooperation with Vietnam in infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, aerospace, telecommunications, and green transition. He stressed that both sides share an interest in ensuring uninterrupted international trade and supply chains, as well as in maintaining stable and prosperous growth.

On this occasion, Party General Secretary To Lam extended his congratulations to the Ambassador and the EU Delegation on the occasion of Europe Day (May 9), and affirmed that Vietnamese ministries and sectors will continue to actively coordinate and support the Ambassador in fulfilling his term in Vietnam.

Vietnam ready to support EU businesses in investment and growth

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to resolve difficulties and facilitate EU businesses’ investment and growth in the country.