President Luong Cuong, European Council President António Costa hold talks, outline six key orientations for Vietnam-EU ties
WVR - President Luong Cuong proposed that Vietnam and the EU closely coordinate to implement the contents of the Joint Declaration on upgrading Vietnam-EU relations, focusing on six key orientations.
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| President Luong Cuong and the President of the European Council officially announced the elevation of Vietnam-EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership after 35 years of diplomatic relations. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
At the invitation of President Luong Cuong, European Council President Antonio Costa paid an official visit to Vietnam from January 28–29, 2026.
Following the official welcoming ceremony on the morning of January 29, President Luong Cuong and European Council President Antonio Costa held talks at the Presidential Palace and addressed the press afterward.
During the talks, on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed European Council President Antonio Costa on his official visit to Vietnam. He highly appreciated the historical significance of this first visit to Vietnam by a European Council President since 2012, and as the first European leader to visit Vietnam following the successful 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
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| President Antonio Costa affirmed that Vietnam is the EU's first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in ASEAN. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The President affirmed that the visit opens a new chapter in Vietnam-EU relations, with both sides deciding to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Recognizing the EU's role and position as a leading global center of politics, economy, science-technology, and culture, the State President affirmed that Vietnam always regards the EU as one of its top important partners in foreign policy. He emphasized Vietnam's desire to develop deep, comprehensive relations with the EU, continuously strengthening friendship and cooperation with EU member states.
The President appreciated the EU's role in promoting multilateralism and upholding international law for the peace, stability, and development of the region and the world.
Informing the European Council President about the main outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Party, the President highlighted Vietnam's two strategic centennial goals: becoming a modern industrialized, upper-middle-income developing country by 2030, and a high-income developed country by 2045. He emphasized Vietnam's determination to build a new growth model based on science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition as key tasks. The State President affirmed Vietnam's readiness to continue partnering with the EU in a new era of development.
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| The President appreciated the EU's role in promoting multilateralism and upholding international law for the peace, stability, and development of the region and the world. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
On this basis, President Luong Cuong proposed that both sides closely coordinate to implement the contents of the Joint Declaration on upgrading Vietnam-EU relations, focusing on six key orientations. These include enhancing political trust through delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms, expanding new cooperation mechanisms, identifying economic cooperation as a key driver for bilateral relations, making science, technology, and innovation a true pillar of bilateral cooperation, and promoting respect for international law and multilateralism.
The President proposed that the EU promote maritime economic cooperation, support Vietnam in building a sustainable fishing industry, and soon lift the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood. He affirmed Vietnam's support for promoting ASEAN-EU relations and readiness to act as a bridge to further enhance relations between the two sides, aiming towards the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in 2027.
Expressing honour as the first European guest to visit Vietnam right after the 14th Party Congress, a significant time in shaping Vietnam's future, European Council President Antonio Costa thanked Vietnam's State and President Luong Cuong for the warm and respectful reception. He warmly congratulated the success of the 14th Party Congress and expressed deep admiration for the significant, comprehensive socio-economic achievements Vietnam has made after 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal).
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| The two leaders agreed to promote cooperation in science-technology and innovation, making this field a new pillar of bilateral cooperation. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Congratulating Vietnam's increasing international role, position, and prestige, the European Council President affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam an important partner in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Vietnam shares common views with the EU on respecting international law and supporting free trade and maritime freedom.
European Council President Antonio Costa stated that his visit marks a historic moment with both sides elevating their relationship to a new level. Vietnam is the EU's first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in ASEAN, reflecting not only the 35-year journey but also the closeness and shared long-term vision in an unpredictable world.
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| The European Council President affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam an important partner in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific Strategy. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The European Council President noted that both sides have significant potential for cooperation in trade, sustainable development, innovation, maritime economy, governance, security, and people-to-people exchanges. He expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in traditional fields such as trade-investment, agriculture, sustainable development, and climate change response, while expanding into new areas like green transition, digital transformation, fair energy transition, infrastructure, and transport connectivity. This aims to match the level of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and become a model for EU cooperation with a Southeast Asian country.
The two leaders officially announced the elevation of Vietnam-EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership after 35 years of diplomatic relations. They also agreed on a direction to build an action plan to effectively implement the Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the EU in the future.
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| President Luong Cuong proposed that both sides closely coordinate to implement the contents of the Joint Declaration on upgrading Vietnam-EU relations, focusing on six key orientations. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The two leaders agreed to promote cooperation in science-technology and innovation, making this field a new pillar of bilateral cooperation, especially in areas where Europe excels in science, digital transformation, and connectivity. They agreed to fully and effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to benefit businesses on both sides, particularly in promoting high-quality EU investment flows into Vietnam. They will maintain the effective Vietnam-EU Defense-Security Dialogue mechanism, promote cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, and expand cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, and crisis management. Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in environmental protection and climate change response, green economy, circular economy, marine economy, clean energy, and more.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in responding to global challenges, promoting multilateralism, respecting international law, and peacefully resolving disputes based on the UN Charter. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation, freedom of aviation, and upholding the rule of law in seas and oceans, including the East Sea, as well as in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
