The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that on the afternoon of April 24, at the Party Central Committee Headquarters, General Secretary To Lam received the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam, Mr. Julien Guerrier.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that at the meeting, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the EU is one of the top important partners in Vietnam's foreign policy and was pleased to see that after 35 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1990-2025), the relationship between the two sides has developed dynamically and comprehensively in all fields.
The two sides are implementing 4 cooperation agreements and 8 dialogue mechanisms, from politics - diplomacy, trade - investment to defense - security.
The Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), after 5 years of implementation, has created a new boost for bilateral trade, making Vietnam the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the EU the 4th largest trading partner and 6th largest investor of Vietnam. Two-way trade turnover in 2024 will reach nearly 70 billion USD while EU investment in Vietnam will reach over 30 billion USD.
Discussing measures to promote Vietnam - EU relations, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that 2025 is a year of special significance for both sides, marking a journey of 35 years of cooperation and development.
In the context of the current geopolitical and trade situation facing many difficulties, the two sides need to continue to implement the EVFTA Agreement more effectively to promote trade and investment between Vietnam and the EU.
The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam has a policy of multilateralization, diversification, equal cooperation, and mutual benefit to all partners, including the EU and member countries, promoting balanced and sustainable trade and investment cooperation, aiming to implement common sustainable development goals.
On that basis, the General Secretary welcomed the EU interested in cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of green conversion, digital transformation, sustainable development, science and technology, innovation, renewable energy, sustainable transport infrastructure, defense industry, human resource training, law ..., suggesting the two parties to coordinate to remove trade problems within the framework of the EVFTA agreement, to improve the EU, to improve the EU, to improve the efficiency Male.
Emphasizing the importance of education - training cooperation and people-to-people exchanges and youth exchanges between Vietnam and the EU, General Secretary To Lam suggested that the two sides consider and facilitate entry visas for citizens of both sides.
Regarding international and regional issues, the General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam is a peace-loving nation, an active and responsible member of the international community in resolving regional and global issues.
General Secretary To Lam and the Ambassador agreed that Vietnam and the EU both need to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world for development, and need to strengthen cooperation within the ASEAN-EU framework, ensuring peace and stability in the East Sea, a region of strategic significance to global trade.
Ambassador Julien Guerrier congratulated Vietnam on its development achievements after 50 years of national reunification, affirming that Vietnam is a trusted and priority partner of the EU in the Asia-Pacific region; highly appreciated the increasing role and position of Vietnam, especially in the context of Vietnam entering a new era.
The Ambassador affirmed that the EU wishes to support Vietnam in achieving the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050; the EU wishes to promote cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, aviation - aerospace, telecommunications, and green transformation.
The Ambassador said that the EU and Vietnam share the common interest in ensuring an uninterrupted international trade system and supply chain, ensuring stable growth and prosperity for each country.
On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam congratulated the Ambassador and the EU Delegation on the occasion of the European Day (May); affirmed that Vietnamese ministries and branches will actively coordinate and support the Ambassador to successfully complete his term of office in Vietnam.
