Vietnam aspires to sustainable, long-term ASEAN–EU relations and cooperation for peace, security, and development
WVR - On the occasion of Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attending the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting (April 27-28) in Brunei, Director General of the ASEAN Department, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh emphasized Vietnam's expectations for ASEAN-EU relations as well as Vietnam's contributions within the framework of the Meeting.
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| Vietnam aspires to sustainable, long-term ASEAN–EU relations and cooperation for peace, security, and development: Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung with ASEAN Foreign Ministers and EU representatives attending a Gala dinner ahead of the ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting on April 27, 2026 (Source: asean.org) |
Ambassador, could you please share the focal points of the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brunei this time?
This is a biennial meeting of ASEAN and EU Foreign Ministers aimed at assessing the progress of cooperation and discussing directions for the development of ASEAN-EU relations and cooperation in the future, towards celebrating the 50th anniversary of relations in 2027. Amidst rapidly changing and complex global and regional situations, the Meeting also serves as an opportunity for Ministers to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and discuss measures to enhance coordination, helping the two regions effectively respond to the complex challenges of the international environment.
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| Director General of the ASEAN Department, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh. (Photo: Chu Van) |
It can be said that ASEAN-EU relations and cooperation have developed comprehensively and achieved positive results in many fields, based on the ASEAN-EU Action Plan for 2023-2027. Both sides maintain regular dialogue at various levels and mechanisms, enhancing cooperation to address challenges such as maritime security, terrorism, transnational crime, and non-traditional security. The EU is one of ASEAN's leading trade and investment partners, and cooperation has expanded into areas such as supply chain connectivity, transportation, and sustainable development. Cooperation in education, healthcare, people-to-people exchanges, and addressing climate change challenges continues to be promoted.
On this basis, one of the focal points of this Meeting will be to discuss measures to consolidate and deepen the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, through the effective and substantive implementation of the ASEAN-EU Action Plan for 2023-2027, with priorities on economic, trade, investment, and connectivity cooperation...
Both sides will also need to enhance cooperation and coordination to improve resilience and adaptability to external shocks, especially in key areas such as energy, food, and supply chains, as well as promote cooperation in emerging fields such as green transition, energy transition, digital economy, and innovation. These will be important foundations to elevate the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership to new heights, in line with the potential and interests of both regions, and contribute to peace, security, and development.
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| Preparatory senior officials' meeting for the ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting on April 27, 2026. (Source: asean.org) |
Within the framework of the Meeting, what specific proposals and initiatives does Vietnam have to promote the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, Ambassador?
Vietnam-EU relations have continued to develop comprehensively and dynamically across all fields. The upgrade of Vietnam-EU relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership earlier this year has provided additional momentum and opened new space for deeper and more substantive cooperation.
On this foundation, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, attends this Meeting with the goal of contributing to the sustainable, long-term development of ASEAN-EU relations and cooperation, laying the groundwork for elevating bilateral relations for peace, security, and development, complementing Vietnam-EU relations and cooperation.
Through exchanges at the Meeting, Vietnam hopes to continue to consolidate and deepen political trust between the two regions, enhance consultations, share information, and coordinate positions at regional and international forums, cooperate in conflict prevention, and effectively address emerging challenges, non-traditional security...
Additionally, through ASEAN-led regional cooperation frameworks, ASEAN and the EU need to continue to enhance cooperation on maritime security, maritime safety, in accordance with international law.
In terms of economy, Vietnam hopes ASEAN and the EU will increase deep, sustainable, and balanced cooperation. In the context of global supply chains undergoing significant restructuring due to geopolitical factors, both sides need to enhance cooperation to diversify markets, improve resilience, and minimize unnecessary barriers to trade and investment.
At the same time, Vietnam hopes the parties will continue to effectively utilize existing cooperation frameworks, further facilitating goods, services, and investment between the two regions. Both sides also need long-term orientations for enhancing and completing a more comprehensive economic cooperation framework, such as building an ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in line with the interests and development levels of the parties.
Vietnam also hopes to further promote cooperation in new strategic fields such as green transition, energy transition, digital economy, innovation, science and technology, which are both urgent and have great complementary potential between the two regions.
Besides specific cooperation goals, Vietnam, along with ASEAN and the EU, will continue to affirm and strengthen the fundamental principles of international relations, especially multilateralism, international law, and peaceful dispute resolution. These are not only foundational values that have shaped Vietnam-EU and ASEAN-EU relations over time but also important bases for both sides to effectively respond to the complex changes in the current international environment.
Thank you, Ambassador!
