The upcoming official visits to the European Union and Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation underscore the importance of the EU and Belgium in Vietnam’s foreign policy and international integration strategy, a diplomat said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the EU Nguyen Huong Tra said the visits aim to strengthen political trust, deepen ties and turn high-level commitments into concrete action, laying the groundwork for a new phase in relations with both partners.
Vietnam-EU relations are at their strongest point. Following European Council President Antonio Costa’s visit to Vietnam after the successful 14th National Party Congress, the two sides upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnam became the first Southeast Asian country to establish the EU’s highest-level partnership framework, building on more than three decades of cooperation.
Vietnam remains the EU’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, while the EU is one of Vietnam’s four largest trading partners. Shared commitments to international law, the United Nations, multilateral institutions and trade liberalisation support closer ties. Considerable potential remains untapped, including cooperation in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
The diplomat called for more effective implementation of agreements, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. She also cited cooperation on climate change, energy and green transitions, sustainable supply chains and cybersecurity. Political commitments alone will not ensure tangible benefits for people and businesses; implementation, participation by businesses and local communities, and new ways to mobilise resources are needed.
For Belgium, science and technology, high-quality human resource training, logistics, seaports and strategic infrastructure were identified as promising areas. The two sides could also expand their 2018 agricultural partnership into green, smart and climate-resilient agriculture.
Both countries also participate in the UN, the International Organisation of La Francophonie and ASEAN-EU mechanisms. Their shared commitment to multilateralism and international law provides a basis for stronger coordination.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
