Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said in Hanoi that Vietnam's economic transformation is creating conditions for cooperation with the European Union (EU) and its member states.
At a meeting on October 12 with Julien Guerrier, the EU ambassador and head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, and diplomats from EU member states, the prime minister said Vietnam was implementing major policies to achieve its medium- and long-term development goals.
Vietnam is determined to achieve double-digit economic growth during 2026-2030. It also aims to become a developing country with modern industry by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045, the 100th anniversary of independence.
The country is transforming its growth model around science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition. It is also improving the legal framework, particularly in energy, investment and business, to mobilise resources for national development.
The prime minister said Vietnam-EU relations had grown deeper and more substantive since diplomatic ties were established 36 years ago.
Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian country to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the EU. The bloc is Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market and fifth-largest import market.
Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with the EU and its member states and wants to implement the new partnership framework effectively.
The prime minister called on both sides to use their strengths, coordinate more closely on common challenges and pursue long-term mutual benefits.
He proposed more contacts at all levels, stronger coordination at multilateral forums and expanded defence and security cooperation. He also called for work in science and technology, innovation, critical raw materials, strategic infrastructure, energy transition, digital transformation and green transition.
He highlighted cooperation in new energy, green hydrogen and ammonia production, offshore wind power and energy infrastructure modernisation.
He called for stronger cooperation in high-speed and urban railways, seaports and aviation. The EU could support finance, technology and human resources training, he said, and European companies should be encouraged to invest in Vietnam.
Le Minh Hung stressed education and training cooperation, academic exchanges and human resources development through Erasmus. He also urged the EU to help integrate Vietnamese communities in member states into their host societies.
He called for effective implementation of the EVFTA, faster ratification of the EVIPA and further facilitation of two-way trade and investment.
He urged support for the European Commission's early removal of its illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing 'yellow card' against Vietnam.
The prime minister valued the EU's recognition of Vietnam's legal and tax cooperation efforts, as well as its decision to remove Vietnam from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
For areas where the two sides disagree, he called for dialogue and existing bilateral mechanisms so differences would not affect their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Speaking for EU diplomats, Guerrier said Vietnam-EU relations were increasingly substantive, trustworthy and dynamic. He said Vietnam played an important role amid global uncertainty, making stable ties particularly important to the EU.
Guerrier said both sides had opportunities to expand cooperation. European companies were interested in investment and partnerships in green transition, supply chains, transport, infrastructure, critical raw materials, science and technology, defence and security.
The ambassador said the EU wanted to continue accompanying Vietnam in its new phase of development.
The sides agreed to prepare for upcoming high-level diplomatic engagements and accelerate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through practical long-term programmes and projects.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
