Strengthening Vietnam-European Union cooperation in various fields

On the occasion of attending the 2nd Global Gateway Forum from October 9-10, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, on October 9, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son had a working session with Ms. Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the headquarters of the European Union External Action Service (EEAS).

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son works with Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Kaja Kallas. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs )

At the meeting, EC Vice President Kaja Kallas sent his condolences and sympathies on the storm and flood developments in Vietnam, especially the loss of life and material damage.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son informed about the situation of storm and flood prevention and control in Vietnam and thanked the international community, including the European Union, for sharing and supporting the Government and people of Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister also informed about the socio -economic development situation of Vietnam, affirming that despite facing many difficulties and challenges, the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam are striving to achieve the set socio-economic development goals, including the growth target of more than 8% in 2025, a year of special significance to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day and 50 years of national reunification.

Expressing his pleasure at meeting EC Vice President Kaja Kallas again after the meeting on the occasion of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting last July, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the EU's global role and supports EU initiatives, including the Global Gateway Initiative.

In the context of complicated international and regional situations, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam and the EU share the interests of peace, stability, and sustainable development goals; the two sides need to coordinate and support each other to promote global multilateral cooperation, including the need to strengthen the United Nations system and respect the rule of law, including the United Nations Charter.

Regarding Vietnam-EU relations, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the strong, comprehensive, and substantive developments after 35 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1990-2025).

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the bilateral relationship is entering a new phase, towards upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, so it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in all aspects, promote high-level visits to deepen cooperation in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, security-defense as well as promote new areas such as science-technology, innovation, green economy, climate change response...

Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas affirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU's leading important partners in the region. The two sides share many common interests and agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

Recognizing that economic, trade and investment cooperation is an important pillar in the relationship, the two sides agreed to enhance the more effective implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son asked the EU to urge member countries to soon complete the ratification process of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby protecting the interests and encouraging European businesses to invest in key projects in Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister also asked the EU to support Vietnam in developing its marine economy, enhancing the capacity of fishermen and businesses to adapt to regulations on transitioning to a responsible exploitation model, protecting biodiversity and marine resources.

The Deputy Prime Minister shared about Vietnam's results and serious efforts in preventing and combating illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, expressing his hope that the EU will soon remove the IUU yellow card, creating conditions to promote Vietnam-EU cooperation in the field of marine economy, especially sustainable fisheries development.

Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas acknowledged Vietnam's important steps in combating IUU fishing, saying that the European Commission plans to send a delegation on IUU fishing to work in Vietnam in November 2025.

The EU also wishes to expand cooperation in areas serving economic development in the context that the two sides are moving towards upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, continued to affirm the role and importance of the United Nations Charter and international law, and agreed that conflicts and disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means through consultation and dialogue.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son invited Vice President Kaja Kallas to visit Vietnam and invited the EU to send a high-ranking representative to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which will take place on October 25-26, 2025, in Hanoi.

The Vice President of the European Commission happily accepted the invitation and looked forward to visiting Vietnam soon; and the EU will soon inform about sending a delegation to attend the Convention signing ceremony hosted by Vietnam.

PV

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tang-cuong-hop-tac-viet-nam-lien-minh-chau-au-tren-cac-linh-vuc-post914236.html