He described Vietnam as a strong and strategic partner of the E.U. in political and security affairs, while also recognizing the country as one of its leading ASEAN partners in economic, business, trade and investment cooperation.
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E.U. Ambassador to ASEAN Sujiro Seam (Photo: The E.U. Delegation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) |
According to the diplomat, the strength of the E.U. - Vietnam relationship is reflected in the E.U. - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during European Council President António Costa’s visit to Vietnam in January 2026.
He told the Vietnam News Agency that the E.U. would like Vietnam to share its practical implementation experience and the benefits it has gained from the agreement with other ASEAN member states. “Vietnam’s experience could help other ASEAN member states better understand the potential advantages of such an agreement.”
Placing the EVFTA within the broader E.U. - ASEAN trade agenda, the Ambassador said the long-term objective of the E.U. - ASEAN Strategic Partnership is to establish a region-to-region free trade agreement. “Bilateral FTAs between the E.U. and individual ASEAN member states would serve as building blocks towards that goal,” he said.
Beyond trade, Vietnam and the E.U. also recorded effective cooperation in green transition, digital and maritime affairs, according to the Ambassador.
He underscored Vietnam as an important partner in advancing the region’s green energy transition. Vietnam and Indonesia are the two ASEAN countries participating in Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) supported by the E.U. and other international partners, he noted.
In the digital sphere, Vietnam plays an important coordinating role within ASEAN in discussions with the E.U. on a framework for digital trade principles, he said.
Regarding maritime cooperation, Vietnam and the E.U. are working within the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), including a jointly chaired activity focusing on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The increasing bilateral maritime cooperation also reflects the broader convergence between the E.U. and ASEAN on upholding multilateralism and ASEAN Centrality, the Ambassador affirmed.
He emphasized that both the E.U. and ASEAN recognized the value of multilateralism and shared respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of any disputes.
Amid increasingly complex regional and global security challenges, multilateral cooperation has become more important than ever. In this context, the Ambassador underlined that Vietnam once again plays a crucial coordinating role in advancing cooperation between ASEAN and the E.U.
As two of the world’s leading examples of successful regional cooperation, the diplomat said closer and more effective cooperation between the two groupings is both natural and necessary.
Source: VNA