After the official welcoming ceremony on the morning of January 29, President Luong Cuong and President of the European Council António Costa held talks at the Presidential Palace.
At the talks, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the visit opens a new chapter in Vietnam - EU relations with the two sides deciding to upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The President affirmed that Vietnam always considers the EU as one of the top important partners in foreign policy; affirmed that Vietnam wishes to develop deeply and comprehensively relations with the EU, and constantly strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with EU member states.
Informing the President of the European Council of the main results of the 14th National Party Congress, the President emphasized Vietnam's two 100-year strategic goals: To 2030 to become a developing country with modern industry and high average income and to 2045 to become a developed country with high income; affirming that Vietnam is ready to continue to accompany the EU in the new era of development.
On that basis, President Luong Cuong proposed that the two sides closely coordinate to implement the contents of the Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam - EU relations, with 6 key orientations, including strengthening political trust through delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms, expanding new cooperation mechanisms, identifying economic cooperation as an important driving force for bilateral relations, bringing science, technology and innovation to truly become a pillar of bilateral cooperation, promoting respect for international law and multilateralism.
The President requested the EU to promote maritime economic cooperation, support Vietnam in building sustainable fisheries and soon remove the IUU "Yellow Card" for Vietnamese seafood. The President affirmed that Vietnam supports promoting ASEAN - EU relations and is ready to act as a bridge to further promote the relationship between the two sides, towards the 50th anniversary of ASEAN - EU relations in 2027.
Congratulating Vietnam's increasing international role, position and prestige, the President of the European Council affirmed that the EU considers Vietnam an important partner in the ASEAN region and in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, a partner sharing common ground with the EU in respecting international law, supporting free trade and freedom of navigation.
The President of the European Council said that the two sides have great potential for cooperation in the fields of trade, sustainable development, innovation, marine economy, governance, security and people-to-people exchanges; wishing to cooperate with Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as trade - investment, agriculture, sustainable development, response to climate change, and expand cooperation to new fields such as green transformation, digital transformation, equitable energy transition, infrastructure and transport connectivity..., commensurate with the level of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, becoming a model of cooperation between the EU and a Southeast Asian country.
The two leaders officially announced the upgrade of Vietnam - EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership after 35 years of establishing diplomatic relations; and agreed on the direction of building an action plan to effectively implement the Joint Statement on the Vietnam - EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming time.
