The agreement was reached during a meeting in Hanoi on June 9 between President Luong Cuong and EU Ambassador Julien Guerrier and ambassadors of EU member states to Vietnam.

Cuong noted after 35 years of diplomatic relations (1990 - 2025), Vietnam - EU ties have developed dynamically and deeply across many fields, including politics and diplomacy, trade, investment, defense, security, and justice, as well as newer areas such as climate change response, labour, and agriculture.

Appreciating the goodwill and past efforts of the ambassadors in strengthening Vietnam - EU relations and bilateral ties with individual EU countries, the President welcomed the EU’s cooperation with Vietnam in green and digital transformation, sustainable development, science and technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

He proposed that both sides work closely together to further enhance this relationship on the basis of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation. This includes promoting high-level delegation exchanges to build political trust and drive cooperation across all sectors; making full use of existing cooperation mechanisms; resolving bottlenecks; and strengthening joint responses to global challenges.

The President also requested that the ambassadors advocate for the early ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the removal of the IUU yellow card imposed on Vietnam’s seafood exports, taking into account the differences in development levels between the two sides and the livelihoods of Vietnamese fishermen. He expressed hope that the EU would support Vietnam in developing its marine economy and sustainable aquaculture.

Exchanging views on international issues of mutual concern, Cuong reaffirmed that Vietnam is a peace-loving nation committed to an independent and self-reliant foreign policy of multilateralism and diversification of external relations. As a responsible member of the international community, he said, Vietnam supports the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on international law, and opposes all forms of force or threat of force in international relations. The country is now working to perfect its legal system and eliminate institutional bottlenecks to create breakthroughs in national development.

He emphasised that while the current global and regional challenges are significant, they also present opportunities for Vietnam to restructure its economy toward green and sustainable development, based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This would help Vietnam diversify markets and products, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to maintaining a rules-based multilateral trade system that brings practical benefits to both people and businesses.

On behalf of the ambassadors, Guerrier reaffirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the EU in the region, especially as the ASEAN country with the most comprehensive agreements with the EU in politics, trade-investment, and defense-security.

Agreeing with Cuong’s assessment of Vietnam - EU relations, the Ambassador noted the positive momentum and vast potential for further cooperation.

Given current global geopolitical and trade complexities, the ambassadors affirmed that the EU remains a trusted partner of Vietnam. They expressed their desire to enhance cooperation and fully leverage the benefits of the EU – Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA), facilitating mutual market access. They highlighted the EU’s willingness to support Vietnam’s integration and development process, particularly in green and digital economies, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, justice, labour, defence-security, and climate change adaptation.

Priority will be given to implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and infrastructure and transportation projects in Vietnam, said the diplomats.

The ambassadors thanked the President for his guidance on advancing Vietnam - EU relations and affirmed the EU’s commitment to working closely with Vietnamese agencies to successfully organise upcoming high-level delegation exchanges and address existing obstacles. They pledged to effectively implement the agreements reached between the two sides.

Regarding the East Sea known internationally as South China Sea, the EU reaffirmed its strong support for peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to maritime security, freedom of navigation, and regional peace, stability, and prosperity especially as 40% of EU trade passes through this region annually.

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