EU considers Vietnam among most important partners in Indo-Pacific
The European Union (EU) considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission (EC).
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The European Union (EU) considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission (EC).
Borell made the remarks at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Belgium on December 13 on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations.
The two officials expressed their delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-EU comprehensive cooperation and partnership, particularly in trade. In the first ten months of this year, bilateral trade turnover hit 52 billion USD, up 12.8% from the same period in 2021. In addition, the bloc is now the fifth biggest foreign investor of Vietnam.
Son suggested EU member states soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to open up new opportunities for EU businesses to invest in the Vietnamese market; further effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); and actively consider and soon remove the ‘yellow card’ warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing against Vietnamese aquatic products.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Assessing Vietnam as a dynamic and potential economy, Borrell affirmed that the EU attaches great importance to the Southeast Asian nation’s position in the region and the world.
He affirmed his support for the early ratification of the EVIPA and committed that the bloc will continue to work with Vietnam to effectively take advantage of opportunities brought about by the EVFTA to deepen their comprehensive cooperative partnership with Vietnam.
The two officials also agreed to strengthen cooperation in response to climate change, the realisation of sustainable growth goals, and the deployment of UN peacekeeping operations, making active contributions to peace, stability and development in the two regions and the world./.
Italian news website La Città Futura has run a story highlighting the important role of Vietnam as a bridge for the strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN,) on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s participation in the ASEAN-EU Summit commemorating the 45th anniversary of their relations.
The ASEAN-EU Summit will provide a political framework for the longstanding relationship between the two sides, said Pierre Gréga, Director of the Development, Rehabilitation, Integration and Security (DRIS) centre.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón on the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit marking 45 years of diplomatic ties in Brussels, Belgium, on December 14.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission. (Photo: VNA) 
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) Assessing Vietnam as a dynamic and potential economy, Borrell affirmed that the EU attaches great importance to the Southeast Asian nation’s position in the region and the world. 
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
