Vietnam: 5th Sub-Committee on Political Issues under the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement takes place in Hanoi

Joint press release

The fifth Sub-Committee on Political Issues under the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) took place in Hanoi on 22 July 2025. The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual trust, openness and shared strategic ambition.

The EU and Vietnam engaged in an in-depth exchange on bilateral, regional, global and multilateral developments against the backdrop of growing complexity and volatility of the international landscape.

Marking the 35th anniversary of EU-Vietnam diplomatic relations in 2025, the EU and Vietnam expressed a strong-shared ambition to upgrade their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a view to announcing this milestone at the next high-level visit.

The two sides discussed the latest state of play of Vietnam and the EU, respectively, and their bilateral relations in various areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, energy transition, digital, green economy, as well as security and defence. In the context of the rapidly evolving and complex global situation, including global trade challenges, the EU and Vietnam agreed that this partnership should be further promoted, including by increasing exchanges of delegations at all levels to consolidate political trust and create momentum for bilateral cooperation and the effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The two sides discussed sustainable fishery developments, including Vietnam’s recent efforts in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

The EU provided updates on its strategic direction under the second mandate of President Ursula von der Leyen, with an increased focus on security and defence, economic security, and competitiveness. Vietnam, in turn, shared information about its ongoing administrative and legislative reforms designed to enhance state effectiveness and support sustainable economic growth, particularly through a stronger enabling environment for the private sector.

The two sides discussed a broad range of global political and security issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the international order based on international law and the United Nations Charter as guiding principles for peace and stability. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations’ reform efforts, particularly in the lead-up to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

The two sides exchanged views on ways to deepen the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership ahead of the 50th anniversary of EU-ASEAN bilateral relations in 2027. Vietnam appreciated the EU’s commitment to support ASEAN’s community-building process and ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

The EU and Vietnam discussed current geopolitical challenges, including the growing unpredictability in the global trade system and the need to strengthen global governance. On Ukraine, the EU and Vietnam reiterated their respective positions as expressed in other fora. Both sides also underscored the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. The two parties exchanged views on the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza underscoring the importance of allowing access to humanitarian assistance. The EU and Vietnam expressed deep concern about the recent developments in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the importance of the maintaining peace, security, stability and the rule of law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 UNCLOS which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. Both sides also shared views on the latest developments in Myanmar.

The EU and Vietnam looked forward to the upcoming signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which will be hosted in Hanoi in October 2025. The Convention is seen as an important milestone in the global fight against cybercrime.

The EU extended an invitation to Vietnam to participate in the next EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, planned to take place in Brussels in November 2025, further reflecting the EU’s recognition of Vietnam as a key partner in the region.

The meeting was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, and Bui Ha Nam, Director General of the Europe Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam.

The next Sub-Committee on Political Issues will take place in Brussels in 2026.