Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect in 2020, bilateral trade has increased by more than 50%.

The EU is now among Vietnam’s leading providers of official development assistance through the Global Gateway strategy and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), he said.

The ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Vietnam in achieving its goal of becoming a developed economy by 2045 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, while ensuring energy security amid global uncertainties.

According to Guerrier, 2026 marked a historic new stage in bilateral ties after the January visit by President of the European Council Antonio Costa officially elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He stated that  the EU would continue to be a steadfast partner by providing capital and technology to support Vietnam in future-shaping sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, energy infrastructure and transport. One example is a consortium involved in developing the Lien Chieu Port project in Da Nang.

Within ASEAN, Vietnam is regarded as a frontrunner with the largest number of agreements signed with the EU, he noted, adding that the bloc would remain a long-term investment partner for Vietnam’s future.

Representing the Vietnamese Government at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang extended warm congratulations to European friends and said Vietnam-EU relations held strong potential for further breakthroughs after more than 35 years of development.

Despite global challenges, the EU has continued to strengthen its position as one of Vietnam’s major trading partners and leading investors, while Vietnam has retained its position as the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, she said.

Bilateral trade has recorded an impressive average annual growth rate of 10% during the five years since the EVFTA came into force.

Deputy FM  Le Thi Thu Hang described 2026 as a pivotal year with strong symbolic significance and welcomed the fact that commitments to upgrade bilateral ties had quickly been turned into concrete action.

She cited the first EU-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum in March 2026, which drew more than 800 delegates.

Amid increasingly complex global developments, Hang said Vietnam consistently attached importance to strengthening ties with the EU. She said both sides had strong potential to make breakthroughs in key fields of the new era, including science and technology, innovation, and green and digital transformation, making practical contributions to peace, stability and sustainable development worldwide.

Amid growing global volatility, Hang said Vietnam consistently attached importance to strengthening ties with the EU. She noted that both sides possessed sufficient potential to make breakthroughs in key areas of the new era, including science and technology, innovation, and green and digital transformation, thereby making practical contributions to peace, stability and sustainable development worldwide.

Vietnam enhances ASEAN-EU economic integration and links

VOV.VN - The adoption of the 2026 work plan marks an important step, laying the foundation for the SCOPE Trade project to move into a substantive implementation phase, delivering concrete and practical results for ASEAN member states.

Vietnam supports stronger comprehensive, practical, effective ASEAN-EU cooperation

Vietnam and ASEAN attach great importance to their partnership with the European Union and support stronger comprehensive, practical and effective cooperation between the two blocs, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed at the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brunei on April 28.