State President Luong Cuong (R) holds talks with President of the European Council (EC) António Costa, Ha Noi, January 29, 2026

Luong highlighted the historic significance of Costa's ongoing visit to Viet Nam, opening up a new chapter in Viet Nam–EU relations as the two sides have elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Viet Nam consistently considers the EU as one of its most important partners in its foreign policy, he reiterated, expressing his hope to further advance the relations with the EU towards a deep, comprehensive manner, while continuously strengthening friendship and cooperation with the EU member states.

The Vietnamese Head of State spoke highly of the EU's role in promoting multilateralism and upholding international law in pursuit of peace, stability and development in the regions and the world.

He urged the two sides to work closely together to implement the Joint Statement on upgrading Viet Nam-EU relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with six key orientations, including strengthening political trust through the exchange of high-level delegations and contacts; effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms while exploring new ones; identifying economic collaboration as a continued key driver of the bilateral ties; making science, technology and innovation a genuine pillar of cooperation; and promoting respect for international law and multilateralism.

He called on the EU to promote collaboration in marine economy, assist Viet Nam in building a sustainable fisheries sector, and soon lift the "yellow card" imposed on Vietnamese seafood exports.

Viet Nam advocates stronger ASEAN–EU relations and stands ready to serve as a bridge to further deepen substantive cooperation between ASEAN and the EU, toward the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN–EU relations in 2027, underlined the host.

Costa, for his part, affirmed that the EU regards Viet Nam as a crucial partner in ASEAN and in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, as well as a partner sharing common values with the EU, including respect for international law and support for free trade and freedom of navigation.

Costa said his two-day visit marked a historic moment, with the two sides upgrading their ties to a new level, making Viet Nam the EU's first comprehensive strategic partner in ASEAN, which reflects not only the depth of the 35-year relationship but also the growing closeness and alignment of long-term visions amid an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.

There are ample rooms for cooperation across a wide range of fields, including trade, sustainable development, innovation, the maritime economy, governance, security and people-to-people exchanges, noted the guest.

He expressed the EU's desire to step up cooperation with Viet Nam in traditional areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, sustainable development and climate change response, while expanding collaboration into new domains such as green transition, digital transformation, just energy transition, infrastructure and transport connectivity.

The two leaders vowed to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, elevating this area into a new pillar of bilateral relations, particularly in science, digital transformation and connectivity.

Both sides committed to fully and effectively implementing the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and promptly ratifying the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with a view to delivering tangible benefits for businesses on both sides and encouraging high-quality EU investment flows into Viet Nam.

They underlined the need to maintain Viet Nam–EU Defense and Security Dialogue mechanism, enhance cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, and expand collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity and crisis management.

Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection and climate change response, green economy, circular economy, marine economy and clean energy.

They vowed to boost collaboration in addressing global challenges, promoting multilateralism, upholding international law and resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter.

The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the rule of law in seas and oceans, including the East Sea, as well as in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic.