Vietnam and the European Union strengthen cooperation, aiming to elevate relations

Over the past 35 years, Vietnam and the European Union have built a partnership based on trust, shared values and a strong commitment to progress. Cooperation between the two sides covers trade, sustainable development, innovation, governance and global security.

That is the comment of Mr. Julien Gurrierr, Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, in the context of Vietnam-EU looking towards the 35th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (November 28, 1990 - November 28, 2025).

Partnerships that thrive

Diplomatic relations between the two sides were established in 1990 with a focus on humanitarian programs, supporting the resettlement of more than 100,000 Vietnamese people who crossed the border at sea.

Thirty-five years later, cooperation between the two sides has expanded to many areas, including trade, environment, energy, science and technology, governance, cultural exchange, migration, anti-corruption and organized crime, as well as peace and security.

European Union Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Gurrierr. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Vietnam has become an increasingly important partner of the European Union, sharing a strong commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order. In 2016, the two sides signed the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which has laid the foundation for bilateral relations ever since.

In 2019, the two sides signed a Framework Participation Agreement (FPA), allowing Vietnam to participate in EU-led missions and activities. This is the first agreement that the EU has signed with an ASEAN country, marking an important step forward in our joint efforts to contribute to global peace and security.

“The progress we have made together is most clearly demonstrated by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) – the EU’s first with a developing country, taking our economic relationship to an unprecedented level,” said Ambassador Julien Gurrierr.

Thanks to the EVFTA, the leather and footwear industry has been able to maintain exports to the EU market. (Photo: Tran Viet/VNA)

According to Ambassador Julien Gurrierr, the Vietnam-EU relationship is based on three pillars. The first is economic and trade, with the outstanding achievement being the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Since coming into effect in 2020, bilateral trade turnover has increased by about 40%.

Next is climate action, both the EU and Vietnam are committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The two sides have implemented the Just Energy Transition Agreement (JETP), in which EU countries cooperate to invest more than 15 billion euros in Vietnam, while Vietnam commits to gradually phase out coal power and adjust legal reforms to attract private investment in renewable energy.

In addition, there is security and defense cooperation, especially in the context of increasing global and regional instability. In this field, through the Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) - the EU's first agreement with an ASEAN country, the EU sends military experts to train and improve the skills of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces and Vietnam sends officers to participate in EU-led peacekeeping missions.

In addition, the two sides also cooperate closely in many areas, such as circular economy, forest management, and people-to-people exchange.

Cooperation to soon remove IUU yellow card

Ambassador Julien Gurrierr affirmed that the EU has always accompanied and supported Vietnam's long-term sustainable development goals, becoming a reliable, prestigious and stable partner, not only in the past 35 years but also towards upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the near future, thereby opening up new areas of cooperation such as innovation, semiconductors, and key raw materials.

“This will be an important milestone, demonstrating the depth and maturity of the relationship between the two sides. I hope that in the next few months, on the occasion of the high-level visit of senior European leaders to Vietnam, the upgrading of the relationship will be implemented,” the Ambassador shared.

Clams are processed for export to Europe. (Photo: VNA)

The Ambassador affirmed that the European Union fully supports Vietnam’s aspiration to build a green, sustainable and digital economy. Through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the EU and Vietnam are working together to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable growth, contributing to Vietnam’s equitable, inclusive and environmentally responsible energy transition.

Within the framework of the Global Gateway Strategy, the EU also aims to mobilize high-quality investment and resources from the private sector to strengthen sustainable infrastructure, transport, connectivity and innovation - key factors to sustain inclusive growth and economic resilience.

In addition, investment in digital transformation and skills development is also particularly important, helping to ensure that Vietnam’s economic transformation processes are future-ready, highly competitive and in line with global sustainable development goals. A highly digitally skilled workforce and an innovation-based economy will help Vietnam participate more deeply in the global value chain and realize the goal of becoming a high-income country.

Ho Chi Minh City’s maritime law enforcement forces disseminate information about IUU fishing to fishermen in Vung Tau City before their boats set sail for fishing. (Photo: Hoang Nhi/VNA)

According to the Ambassador, Vietnam needs to make better use of the incentives of the EVFTA, thereby fully and effectively implementing bilateral commitments. At the same time, it is necessary to create more favorable, faster and transparent conditions for investors when coming to Vietnam. EuroCham Vietnam has made many very useful recommendations in this area, and the EU business community, EU member states and the entire European Union are ready to accompany and support Vietnam on this promising development journey.

Discussing the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Ambassador Gurrier welcomed Vietnam's reform of IUU-related laws to meet international standards, the most important issue being law enforcement; or the installation of tracking devices. The Ambassador affirmed that the two sides will cooperate to soon remove the IUU yellow card.

“Based on a solid and mutually beneficial relationship, the European Union and Vietnam are well-positioned to explore new cooperation opportunities together. The current global context creates favorable conditions for both sides to enhance cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, innovation and sustainable growth,” the Ambassador emphasized./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-va-lien-minh-chau-au-tang-cuong-hop-tac-huong-toi-nang-tam-quan-he-post1077910.vnp