Giang, who is also head of Viet Nam's ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation, thanked the E.U. for its close coordination on preparations for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam’s official E.U. visit in October 2026, saying that the trip locked in political trust, mutual understanding and strategic direction for more substantive and effective Viet Nam-E.U. ties.
    |
 |
|
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (second from right) and E.U. diplomats at the reception in Ha Noi on November 12, 2026 (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
He welcomed recent progress in the ASEAN-E.U. Strategic Partnership and called for deeper, higher-level ties and thorough preparation for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-E.U. ties in 2027.
Viet Nam is always an active contributor and stays ready to work with other ASEAN members to let the E.U. engage more deeply in ASEAN-led regional mechanisms, he said.
Citing fast-moving and complex global and regional landscapes, Giang said ASEAN and the E.U., two successful regional integration models, must strongly uphold their roles and coordinate more closely to tackle common challenges, build resilience, diversify relationships and supply chains, making positive contributions to peace, stability and sustainable development in both regions and globally.
Fernandez and Rafti, for their part, praised positive Viet Nam-E.U. relations and said bilateral gains will create new momentum for stronger ASEAN-E.U. ties. They said the E.U. sees Viet Nam as an important partner within ASEAN, with many cooperation priorities matching the E.U.’s own.
The two sides discussed proposals in areas of shared interest, including maritime cooperation, health, space, anti-online fraud, trade and investment, digital economy, energy transition, narrowing the development gap, Mekong sub-regional cooperation, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
On preparations for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-E.U. ties next year, the E.U. side said it plans a range of practical activities focused on youth, climate change response, cultural exchange and business connectivity.
Source: VNA