Welcoming the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to discuss EU-Vietnam trade relations in the current global context and the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier met with the Vietnamese leader on 24 April in Hanoi.

Amid international trade tensions, Ambassador Guerrier highlighted the need to further develop mutual trade and investment based on the full and effective implementation of the EVFTA and to support the multilateral trading system.

“Together, the EU and Vietnam should demonstrate that trade cooperation delivers more than trade confrontation,” he said, adding that the upcoming visit to Hanoi of EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič would present an opportunity to deliver concrete progress on core market access priorities so that EU-Vietnam trade and investment can enter a new dimension.

Both sides discussed the importance of working to secure global peace and stability, and how to further improve bilateral relations, including by removing trade obstacles, enhancing market access and promoting more business and investment channels, including through visa facilitation; optimising the use of Official Development Assistance (ODA), including sovereign loans, in particular through the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative and to push forward the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) aimed at helping Vietnam achieve its ambitious Net Zero target by 2050; and enhancing cooperation on human rights.

Both sides expressed optimism that the bilateral relationship will be upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the expected visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Vietnam later this year.