The EU and Vietnam agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, critical minerals, clean energy, technology and infrastructure during talks in Brussels, while calling for full implementation of their trade agreement and faster ratification of an investment protection pact.
The European Union and Vietnam have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on trade, critical raw materials, clean energy, technology and infrastructure. The renewed commitment followed talks in Brussels, between Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The discussions build on the elevation of EU-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026, marking a new phase in more than three decades of bilateral engagement. Both sides said closer cooperation would help strengthen economic resilience, diversify international partnerships and promote stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Trade and investment remain central to the partnership. The leaders called for the full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which has been in force since August 2020, and urged swift ratification of the separate Investment Protection Agreement. Once fully ratified, the latter is intended to provide a framework for protecting covered investments and addressing investment disputes. The latest discussions did not announce a new trade agreement or a specific investment commitment.
Critical raw materials have emerged as another priority. The EU and Vietnam agreed to work towards expanding cooperation in this area, including opportunities linked to responsible business partnerships, sustainable mining and processing. Vietnam holds reserves of minerals important to advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies, creating potential opportunities for investment, technical cooperation and more diversified supply chains.
The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which supports Vietnam’s transition towards cleaner energy. Further areas of cooperation include digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, education and training, strategic infrastructure, the circular economy and the blue economy.
Defence and security cooperation featured in the discussions, with both sides identifying potential for collaboration in maritime security, cyber security, crisis management and capacity-building, subject to their respective laws and policy priorities. They also reiterated their commitment to promoting human rights, effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order.
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The leaders welcomed Vietnam’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and looked ahead to the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in 2027, which will mark 50 years of relations. The latest engagement reinforces the strategic importance of the EU-Vietnam relationship, although the benefits will depend on implementing existing commitments, completing investment agreement ratification and developing concrete projects across priority sectors.