NEW DELHI/BRUSSELS — The European Union and Vietnam agreed to deepen cooperation on trade, critical raw materials, technology and security during talks in Brussels on Thursday, as both sides seek to strengthen economic resilience and diversify international partnerships.
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam met European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss bilateral relations, regional security and global challenges, according to a joint statement issued by the EU.
The talks followed the elevation of EU-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026, which the two sides said had given fresh momentum to bilateral ties.
The leaders called for the full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the swift ratification of an Investment Protection Agreement.
They also agreed to work towards greater cooperation on critical raw materials, as well as technology and innovation, education, strategic infrastructure, the green transition, the circular economy and the blue economy.
The EU and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to investment and energy-transition initiatives, including the EU’s Global Gateway programme and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Defence and security cooperation also featured in the discussions. Both sides recognised scope for closer collaboration, subject to their respective laws, priorities and policies.
They highlighted existing frameworks covering maritime safety and security, cybersecurity, crisis management and capacity-building, as well as the Vietnam-EU Defence and Security Dialogue.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, including through their bilateral dialogue on the issue.
On regional and global affairs, the EU and Vietnam stressed the importance of effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Costa and von der Leyen welcomed Vietnam’s constructive role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The leaders also looked ahead to the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in 2027, which will mark 50 years of relations between the two sides.
The EU said the partnership reflected the strategic importance of strengthening resilience, diversifying partnerships and promoting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, in line with its regional cooperation strategy.
