On the afternoon of October 4, 2024 (local time), at the Villers-Cotterêts Castle in France, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attends the plenary session of the 19th Francophonie Summit. (Photo: VNA)

2024 – Consolidating foundation to forge stronger relations

The European countries commended Vietnam’s potential and always sees the nation its important partner in the Indo-Pacific Strategy while the Southeast Asian country has considered Europe an important, big market, a potential source of direct investment, and a goodwill sponsor. Besides, historical and cultural connections between the two sides serve as catalysts for them to step up their bilateral relations.

Vietnam’s friendship and cooperation partnerships with its traditional European partners were reinforced, with a multitude of diplomatic activities at all levels in 2024, including the exchange of 30 high-level delegations, 1.5 times more than the previous year. Forty-two cooperation documents were signed in various domains, helping concretise the upgraded partnership frameworks as well as bilateral and international commitments.

A landmark moment came when Vietnam and France elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Party General Secretary To Lam's October 2024 visit, making France the first EU member and the second European country to achieve this status with Vietnam.

The diplomatic calendar was particularly active, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to Hungary and Romania in January and attendance at the expanded BRICS summit in October, and the state visits to Vietnam by German President Frank Walter Steinmeier in January and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

Throughout the dynamic engagements, Vietnam and European countries agreed to continue maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms like strategic dialogues and regular political consultations.

At multilateral forums, the two sides coordinated closely and promoted the culture of dialogue and cooperation. European leaders demonstrated their respect for Vietnam’s increasing role, position, and prestige in the international arena while expressing their hope to consolidate and nurture the relations and establish a rational partnership framework with Vietnam, aligning with the new situation.

Economy – trade continued to be a bright spot in the relations between Vietnam and Europe in 2024. Trade revenue with the EU reached 68 billion USD, a 16% increase from 2023. The EU solidified its position as Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest investor, with cumulative investment exceeding 30 billion USD.

Hoa Binh province announces the first shipment of pomelos to the EU market via sea route on November 28, 2024. This batch includes Tan Lac red pomelos and green-skinned pomelos grown in the locality. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam kept on effectively implementing free trade agreements with the EU (EVFTA), the UK (UKVFTA), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU-VFTA). Negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) progressed, while efforts continued to secure the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The bilateral cooperation transcended beyond traditional sectors to new ones that are in accordance with the global development trend and Vietnam’s development priorities such as innovation, IT, digital transformation, green transition, green finance, renewable energy, labour, and semiconductor human resources training.

Due attention was paid to people-to-people exchange. The resumption of direct flights to Russia and new air routes to Germany and Kazakhstan last year helped boost European tourist arrivals to nearly 392,000, representing a 17.9% increase from the previous year. This surge signals Vietnam's growing appeal as a destination for European investors and tourists alike.

During challenging times, particularly in the aftermath of floods and natural disasters, the governments and people of many European countries stood firmly with Vietnam, offering timely assistance and aid, demonstrating their respect for the friendship with Vietnam.

Vietnamese Party and State leaders also asked the European administrations to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to study, work and well integrate into the host society, promoting their role to connect the two sides.

2025 – Charting course for enhanced relations

As Vietnam now stands ready to embrace a new era – that of the nation’s rise, the diplomatic sector continues innovating its mindset and actions, serving as a catalyst to open up new opportunities for national development. This diplomatic evolution aims to effectively serve security and development interests while elevating Vietnam's international standing and contributing to a fair, peaceful, and stable global order.

Foreign activities are expected to go vibrant this year, including those with many European countries and partners like Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Portugal, Egypt, Cyprus, and the EU.

Based on the unceasingly consolidated friendship together with huge cooperation potential, Vietnam has identified four key priorities for cooperation with European partners, helping improve the nation’s position in the new era.

Vietnam will maintain a strategic environment of peace, friendship, and cooperation through strengthened cooperation with its important partners and traditional friends in Europe, contributing to enhancing political trust and creating motives for cooperation in other sectors. This is evidenced by the establishment of the strategic partnership with the Czech Republic and comprehensive partnership with Switzerland in January 2025.

Advancing economic diplomacy is another priority, with a focus on business and local community interests, particularly in areas where Europe excels and Vietnam seeks growth like digital transformation, green transition, energy transition, high technology, innovation, and tourism.

Vietnam will work to intensify collaboration in science, technology, and high-quality human resources training, especially in semiconductors, AI, and renewable energy.

Additionally, it will capitalise on the potential of the Vietnamese community with more than 1 million people in Europe to enhance bilateral ties contribute to Vietnam’s development.

As Vietnam and Europe continue to strengthen their partnership, both sides remain committed to building on their achievements while embracing new cooperation opportunities for peace and stability in the region and the world./.