Vietnam, EU convene 7th Joint Committee meeting to accelerate PCA implementation

During the meeting, the two sides briefed each other on their respective situations regarding socio-economic development and foreign policy, while comprehensively assessing Vietnam - EU relations and the outcomes of subcommittee meetings under the framework of the Joint Committee on Political Issues; Sustainable Development; and Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the positive, increasingly profound, and substantive development of Vietnam - EU relations, particularly following the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026.

Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that the EU is one of Vietnam's top priority partners, emphasizing that within the framework of the new relationship, the Joint Committee and relevant subcommittees must continue to uphold their overall coordinating role and speed up the effective implementation of major orientations, commitments, and cooperative programs between the two sides.

The EU side hailed Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, as well as its rising role and standing in the region and at multilateral forums, affirming that Vietnam is a key and priority partner of the EU in the Asia-Pacific region and expressing its desire to work with Vietnam to bring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework into substantive implementation.

The two sides agreed to step up high-level and all-tier delegations, expand cooperation in trade and investment, sustainable development, defence and security, and new fields, while affirming their active collaboration to dealing with existing hurdles and pending issues.

Regarding economics, trade, and investment, they consented to continue fully and effectively carrying out the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), further facilitating trade, investment, and business operations of both sides, and coordinating to resolve outstanding issues to better utilize the potential and complementarities of the two economies. They concurred to enhance the  linkage of specific programs, resources, and specific projects within the framework of the Global Gateway Initiative and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), particularly in green infrastructure development, clean energy, and sustainable value chains.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang urged the EU to continue urging its remaining member states to soon finalize the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), fully acknowledge Vietnam's efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to soon lift the yellow card on Vietnamese seafood, consider removing Vietnam from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, and work with Vietnam to accelerate the identification and deployment of specific investment projects suitable with EU resources.

Vietnam and the EU identified science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key areas of cooperation in the new period, agreeing to fast-track the implementation of agreed cooperative contents, enhance joint research, connect research institutions, universities, and technology enterprises, develop high-quality human resources, and increase the efficiency of EU cooperation programs, including Horizon Europe.

They concurred on further deepening cooperation in green transition, circular economy, climate change response, disaster prevention and control, and sustainable development; continue coordinating the effective implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework; expand cooperation on critical raw materials; and enhance support for businesses in adapting to new EU regulations on sustainable development, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and requirements for supply chain sustainability due diligence.

The two sides shared the view on bolstering maritime cooperation, fully tap the potential and strengths of each side in sustainable blue economy development, ocean governance, conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, and sustainable aquaculture, while boosting cooperation in maritime security and safety, capacity building, and coordination in responding to maritime security challenges.

They consented to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and social cohesion, notably through education and training, culture, tourism, and youth exchanges, while effectively leveraging EU programs such as Erasmus+ to build a solid social foundation for Vietnam - EU relations.

Discussing regional and international issues of shared concern, they reached a consensus on boosting consultation and coordination at international forums, supporting multilateralism, the role of the United Nations, and the peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes on the basis of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as safeguarding and reinforcing the rules-based order. They affirmed the importance of ASEAN's centrality in the regional architecture and agreed to continue moving towards elevating the ASEAN - EU Strategic Partnership. The EU side highly appreciated Vietnam's role in augmenting ASEAN - EU cooperation.

Regarding the East Sea, both sides shared concerns over recent complex developments, re-affirming the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation. They emphasized that all disagreements and disputes must be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law, notably the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

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