Vietnam and the European Union are set to deepen their strategic partnership by exploring cooperation in the maritime economic sector. This development emerged from discussions between Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and European Council President António Costa during To Lam’s official visit to the EU. The talks aimed to integrate ocean protection, maritime security, and sustainable development as key components of their bilateral relations.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of transitioning from commitments to actionable projects that bolster economic growth and elevate living standards. To Lam underscored the EU’s significance as one of Vietnam’s priority partners and advocated for enhanced trade, investment, and economic connectivity, leveraging the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement to foster commercial opportunities.
A significant area of focus was addressing the EU’s warning on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, alongside advancing the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement. Costa reiterated the EU’s dedication to fortifying economic ties with Vietnam, highlighting the Global Gateway initiative aimed at supporting sustainable infrastructure investments and energy transition projects.
The dialogue also extended to collaboration in maritime safety, cybersecurity, crisis management, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Both leaders committed to strengthening their coordination within multilateral institutions and reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Charter, international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Moreover, the discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The EU expressed its continued support for ASEAN centrality and recognized Vietnam’s pivotal role in enhancing relations between Europe and Southeast Asia.
This engagement signals a growing momentum in Vietnam-EU relations, with both sides eager to broaden cooperation in maritime industries, sustainable investment, trade, and regional security, reflecting a shared vision for future collaboration.