At a meeting in Hanoi with Ambassador Julien Guerrier, Head of the E.U. Delegation to Viet Nam, and other ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of E.U. member states, PM Le Minh Hung said Viet Nam is resolutely implementing major policies to achieve its medium- and long-term development goals.
Viet Nam is determined to achieve double-digit economic growth during 2026-2030 and pursue two centenary goals: becoming a developing country with modern industry by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045, he said.
    |
 |
|
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung meets with Ambassador Julien Guerrier, Head of the E.U. Delegation to Viet Nam, and other ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of E.U. member states in Hanoi on October 12. |
The country is accelerating its growth model transformation, with new growth drivers based on science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition. It is also working to improve the legal framework, particularly in energy, investment and business, to mobilize resources for national development.
Assessing Viet Nam-E.U. ties, PM Le Minh Hung said they have grown steadily deeper and more substantive since diplomatic relations were established 36 years ago.
Viet Nam is the first Southeast Asian country to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the E.U. The bloc is Viet Nam’s fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market and fifth-largest import market, he noted.
Viet Nam attaches great importance to its relations with the E.U. and its member states and wants to effectively implement the new partnership framework, he added.
Against the backdrop of complex global and regional developments, PM Le Minh Hung called on both sides to make better use of their respective strengths, coordinate more closely in addressing common challenges and pursue long-term mutual benefits.
He proposed increasing exchanges and contacts at all levels, strengthening coordination at multilateral forums and enhancing defense and security cooperation. He also called for collaboration in strategic and emerging areas, including science and technology, innovation, critical raw materials, strategic infrastructure, energy transition, digital transformation and green transition.
The PM highlighted opportunities for cooperation in new energy development, green hydrogen and ammonia production technologies, offshore wind power and energy infrastructure modernization.
He also called for stronger cooperation in strategic transport infrastructure, particularly high-speed and urban railways, seaports and aviation, with the E.U. providing support in finance, technology and human resources training. The leader said European companies should be encouraged to invest in Viet Nam.
PM Le Minh Hung stressed the importance of expanding education and training cooperation, promoting academic exchanges and developing high-quality human resources through the Erasmus program. He also urged the E.U. to facilitate the integration of Vietnamese communities in member states into their host societies, enabling them to serve as bridges between the sides.
He called on the diplomats to promote the effective implementation of the E.U.-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), accelerate the ratification of the E.U.-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and further facilitate two-way trade and investment.
The PM also urged them to support the European Commission’s early removal of its illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing “yellow card” against Viet Nam.
He highly valued the E.U.’s recognition of Viet Nam's efforts to improve its legal framework and strengthen cooperation on tax matters, as well as the E.U.’s decision to remove Viet Nam from Annex II of its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
For issues on which the two sides hold different views, PM Le Minh Hung called for continued dialogue and the use of existing bilateral mechanisms to ensure that differences do not affect their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Speaking on behalf of the E.U. diplomats, Guerrier said Viet Nam-E.U. relations are increasingly substantive, trustworthy and dynamic, stressing that Viet Nam plays a very important role amid current global uncertainties. Maintaining and strengthening stable, reliable ties with Viet Nam is therefore particularly important to the E.U., he said.
Guerrier said both sides have significant opportunities to expand cooperation. European companies were keen to increase investment and partnerships in green transition, supply chains, transport, strategic infrastructure, critical raw materials, science and technology, defense and security, and other areas of mutual interest.
The ambassador affirmed that the E.U. wishes to continue accompanying Viet Nam in its new phase of development.
The two sides agreed to prepare thoroughly for upcoming high-level diplomatic engagements and accelerate the implementation of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through practical cooperation programs and projects with a long-term vision, creating fresh momentum for deeper and more effective bilateral relations.
Source: VNA