Party General Secretary and President To Lam, his wife and a high-level Vietnamese delegation completed visits to Denmark, the European Union and Belgium.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the trip strengthened Vietnam's foreign-policy position, expanded its network of trusted partners and deepened its bilateral and regional links with Europe.
The visit produced important, practical results and raised Vietnam's relations with European partners to a new level.
A historic step in Vietnam Denmark relations
Denmark views Vietnam as a leading partner and a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia. Vietnam confirmed its position as Denmark's leading partner in green and sustainable development, including port transport, renewable energy and economic self-reliance.
The leaders stressed the 55-year foundation of their friendship. The two sides agreed to upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, making Denmark the second EU country to establish this level of partnership with Vietnam.
The economy, trade and investment will be important pillars of the new relationship. The sides will also focus on renewable energy, offshore wind power, the green transition, ports, logistics and green maritime transport.
New cooperation with the EU and Belgium
Talks between To Lam and EU leaders, together with recent visits by Vietnamese leaders to Europe, strengthened mutual understanding and political trust, Trung said.
The sides plan to link research institutions, universities and businesses, conduct joint research and development, create joint products and participate more deeply in value and supply chains.
"This is necessary for Vietnam to make better use of Europe's knowledge, technology and innovation capacity while gradually raising the economy's self-reliance and competitiveness," Le Hoai Trung said.
The sides discussed science and technology, innovation, critical raw materials, strategic infrastructure, the circular economy and the marine economy, as well as Global Gateway, JETP and Horizon Europe.
They agreed to strengthen strategic dialogue and expand cooperation in defence and security, maritime security and responses to non-traditional security challenges.
In Belgium, the two countries agreed on a vision to upgrade relations to a Strategic Partnership. The visit opened cooperation in ports, logistics, clean energy, science, technology and personnel training.
Talks also took place with Belgium's regions and local authorities, broadening bilateral links, Trung said.
Resources for socio-economic development
European corporations presented plans and projects for Vietnam with a preliminary combined value of about 20 billion euros.
Ministries, agencies, local authorities and businesses signed cooperation documents. Vietnam and its partners agreed to use the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement more effectively, promote trade and investment and resolve obstacles.
Vietnam urged the remaining EU member states to ratify the investment protection agreement and asked the EU to remove the IUU yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood.
The sides reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, the UN Charter, international law and peaceful dispute settlement. They agreed to promote ASEAN EU relations and contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development.
Sources: Dân Trí
