At the meeting, Politburo Member, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the visit of the President of the European Council to Vietnam at the beginning of 2026, contributing to opening up a good start in the promising cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the EU, especially in the context of being upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The National Assembly Chairwoman affirmed that Vietnam always considers the EU and member countries as important partners in the process of integration and development of Vietnam; highly appreciated the EU's support, especially in the fields of green economy, digital transformation, climate change response as well as important infrastructure projects.
Regarding the situation in Vietnam, the National Assembly Chairwoman shared that after 40 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has achieved many great and positive achievements in all fields. Especially from the beginning of 2025, Vietnam has had rapid movements from institutions to practice through the promulgation of many major policies, strategic resolutions of revolutionary and breakthrough nature, which is an important foundation shaping the country's development goals in the future.
Regarding Vietnam - EU relations, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the fact that the two sides have made outstanding progress in recent years. The Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been and is bringing practical benefits to both sides, with two-way trade turnover reaching nearly 74 billion USD in 2025. The EU has become Vietnam's 4th largest trading partner.
Affirming that the Vietnamese National Assembly always plays a positive role in perfecting the legal framework and monitoring the implementation of international commitments, including EVFTA and agreements with the EU, the National Assembly Chairwoman emphasized that Vietnam will continue to create the most favorable conditions for EU businesses to invest and do business in Vietnam, and at the same time wishes to promote parliamentary cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the European Parliament, as well as with EU member states.
The National Assembly Chairwoman said that the upgrade of Vietnam and the EU to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership further affirms the determination of the two sides in closely coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums, protecting and promoting free and fair trade based on international law.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man requested European Council President Antonio Costa to speak out to promote the completion of ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as well as the European Commission to soon remove the "Yellow Card" and continue to provide technical support to Vietnam to implement solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
For his part, European Council President Antonio Costa expressed his pleasure to officially visit Vietnam and thanked the warm and friendly reception of the Vietnamese leaders. President Antonio Costa said that upgrading the EU-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will open a new chapter in the EU-Vietnam cooperation relationship. The President of the European Council agreed that the two sides need to closely coordinate to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, including strengthening political trust through delegation exchanges at all levels and across all channels.
The two leaders also agreed that it is necessary to promote the exchange of legislative experience between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the European Parliament as well as member countries; support each other at regional and world parliamentary forums to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world, including ensuring peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
On this occasion, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man respectfully requested the President of the European Council Antonio Costa to convey the invitation to the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to pay an official visit to Vietnam.
