HCMC – Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas have agreed that the two sides will enhance cooperation and eventually elevate ties between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Son held a phone conversation on April 15 with European Commission Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, to discuss Vietnam-EU relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to the Government news site.
During the call, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in Vietnam-EU relations over the past 35 years since diplomatic ties were established, particularly in the areas of politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has served as a key driver of bilateral trade since it came into force nearly five years ago.
Son called for increased exchanges and high-level engagement between the two sides, effective implementation of the EVFTA, and stronger trade and investment cooperation amid global challenges.
He also urged the European Commission to lift the “yellow card” on seafood imports from Vietnam, citing the country’s robust efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, address development gaps, and protect the livelihoods of its fishermen.
Son reaffirmed the EU as a key partner of Vietnam and called on the bloc to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to boost trade and investment cooperation.
He encouraged European businesses to invest in Vietnam’s priority sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, green transition, and digital transformation.
Regarding the EU’s anti-dumping investigation into Vietnamese hot-rolled steel, Son asked the bloc to issue a final decision that is objective and consistent with its earlier preliminary findings.
Kallas acknowledged and appreciated Son’s remarks, affirming that the EU approaches related matters based on rules, particularly in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations.
She agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation and emphasized the importance of fully leveraging the EVFTA.
She described Vietnam as a key partner for the EU in the Asia-Pacific region and expressed hope for enhanced dialogue and an early upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
