The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Sagintayev, a Kazakh national, assumed the chairmanship under the rotational mechanism among member states.

Hailing the role of the EEC Council and its Chairman in implementing commitments under the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Government leader said the visit provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views and propose measures to further strengthen overall relations, particularly economic and trade cooperation, between Vietnam and the EAEU, whose members are traditional partners of Vietnam.

The two sides noted positive outcomes after 10 years of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA. The agreement has served as an effective legal framework for promoting cooperation and facilitating trade. Bilateral import-export turnover increased by nearly 30% annually in 2017-2018, peaked at over US$6.3 billion in 2021, and reached nearly US$6 billion in 2025, close to the pre-COVID-19 level and up 5% compared with 2024.

PM Chinh said efforts should continue to deepen Vietnam-EAEU relations through specific agreements and cooperation projects, make better use of the FTA, further open markets, promote trade and investment, and leverage complementary strengths in a spirit of solidarity, cooperation, strengthened mutual trust, balanced interests and shared risks.

To further boost cooperation between Vietnam and EAEU member states, he called for effective implementation of bilateral mechanisms to promptly address technical issues. He urged EAEU members to consider removing safeguard measures and increasing quotas for certain Vietnamese products, and to expand imports of Vietnam’s key exports such as agricultural and aquatic products and electronics.

He also proposed studying supply chain development, maritime and rail transport, and logistics to boost goods exchange between Vietnam and Central Asia as well as individual EAEU members. Vietnam, he noted, is promoting standard-gauge railway connectivity with China and onward to Central Asia.

The Government chief suggested reviewing and assessing possible adjustments to the FTA in line with the new context, based on a comprehensive evaluation of its implementation to ensure substantive and balanced benefits for all parties. He also proposed maintaining and enhancing high-level exchanges, and bolstering cooperation in tourism, people-to-people exchanges, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, minerals, and human resource training.

Regarding Kazakhstan, PM Chinh said bilateral ties have developed strongly in recent years, with the relationship upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit in May 2025.

He called for active follow-up on high-level visit outcomes, especially in economic, trade and investment cooperation, including exchanges of experience in developing international financial centers. Vietnam will establish a trade representation office for Central Asia based in Kazakhstan, he said, and suggested studying the launch of direct flights between Vietnam and Astana.

For his part, Sagintayev congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and praised the country’s achievements in economic growth and macroeconomic stability.

He said March would be a significant time for both Vietnam and Kazakhstan, as Vietnam is set to hold elections for the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, while Kazakhstan will organize a referendum on a new Constitution.

The EEC Chairman appreciated the Prime Minister’s contributions to forging Vietnam-EAEU relations and expressed confidence that cooperation would continue to grow, noting that all EAEU members wish to strengthen ties with Vietnam and that Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations hold strong prospects.

Referring to his working session with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade during the visit, Sagintayev proposed making greater use of the Joint Committee mechanism for implementation of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA.

He agreed with the Prime Minister’s proposals and said he would actively promote enhanced cooperation between Vietnam and the EAEU, as well as between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, including efforts to address obstacles in cooperation and to promote the establishment of air routes between Vietnam and all EAEU member states.

Affirming the strong demand and significant potential for enhanced cooperation in the new period, the two sides concurred to organize activities in 2026 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA and to beef up cooperation in digital transformation.

Decade-long partnership: Vietnam, EAEU eye deeper cooperation

The Embassies of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) held a press conference in Hanoi on May 29 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).