Vietnam considers EU an important partner in its development process and international integration: NA Chairman
WVR - On the afternoon of January 29, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from January 28-29, 2026.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and European Council President António Costa. (Source: VNA) |
During the meeting, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Man highly appreciated the visit of the European Council President to Vietnam at the beginning of 2026, contributing to a promising start in the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the EU, especially after being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
NA Chairman Man affirmed that Vietnam always regards the EU and its member states as important partners in its integration and development process. He appreciated the EU's support, particularly in green economy, digital transformation, climate change response, and significant infrastructure projects.
Regarding Vietnam's situation, the NA Chairman shared that after 40 years of Renewal, Vietnam has achieved significant positive accomplishments across all fields. Notably, since early 2025, Vietnam has seen rapid changes from institutions to practical applications through the issuance of major policies and strategic resolutions that are revolutionary and groundbreaking, forming a crucial foundation for the country's future development goals.
The NA Chairman affirmed Vietnam's commitment to maintaining a peaceful, stable, rapidly developing, and sustainable environment while comprehensively improving the people's living standards.
In this context, the Vietnamese National Assembly, over 80 years with 15 terms, has continuously innovated, affirming its central role in political life, especially in legislative and supreme oversight roles, perfecting institutions and legal systems to meet the demands of each development stage of the country.
The Vietnamese National Assembly always focuses on creating a synchronized legal environment for investment and business. In 2025, it passed 89 laws and 91 resolutions, contributing to removing bottlenecks and working alongside the government to develop policies that unlock resources for socio-economic development, attract investment, and facilitate businesses.
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| National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn speaking. |
Regarding Vietnam-EU relations, NA Chairman Man praised the significant progress achieved in recent years. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been bringing tangible benefits to both sides, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 74 billion USD in 2025. The EU has become Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner.
Vietnam appreciates the EU's support in green economic development, digital transformation, climate change response, and crucial infrastructure projects.
Affirming the Vietnamese National Assembly's active role in perfecting the legal framework and overseeing the implementation of international commitments, including the EVFTA and agreements with the EU, Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn emphasized that Vietnam will continue to create the most favorable conditions for EU businesses to invest and operate in Vietnam. He also expressed the desire to promote parliamentary cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the European Parliament, as well as with EU member states.
The NA Chairman noted that in the context of the world facing complex challenges such as geopolitical instability, climate change, and global economic downturn, the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the EU further affirms the determination of both sides to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, protecting and promoting free, fair trade based on international law.
The Chairman affirmed Vietnam's steadfast implementation of an independent, self-reliant foreign policy, diversifying and multilateralizing relations, and being a reliable partner and responsible member of the EU and the international community.
NA Chairman Man requested European Council President Antonio Costa to advocate for the completion of the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and for the European Commission to soon lift the "Yellow Card" and continue to provide technical support to Vietnam in implementing solutions against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
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| European Council President António Costa speaking. (Photo: VNA) |
For his part, European Council President Antonio Costa expressed his pleasure in officially visiting Vietnam and thanked the Vietnamese leaders for their warm and respectful reception. President Antonio Costa stated that upgrading EU-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will open a new chapter in EU-Vietnam cooperation. This is also the first Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework that the EU has established with an ASEAN country, contributing to further promoting EU-ASEAN relations, aiming towards the 50th anniversary of EU-ASEAN relations in 2027.
Sharing the assessments and proposals of Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, the European Council President agreed that both sides need to closely coordinate to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. This includes enhancing political trust through exchanges at all levels and channels, including parliamentary channels, effectively implementing the EVFTA to bring benefits and broad cooperation opportunities for the business communities of both sides, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in potential areas such as marine economy, digital transformation, clean energy, essential infrastructure, science and technology, and climate change response.
The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance legislative experience exchanges between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the European Parliament, as well as with member countries. They also agreed to support each other at regional and global parliamentary forums to contribute to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, including ensuring peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea.
On this occasion, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man invited European Council President Antonio Costa to convey an invitation to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to officially visit Vietnam.
