Joint press release following General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Lam Tô Lâm's visit to the European Commission and the European Council

On 22 October 2026, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Tô Lâm visited the European Union and held talks in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa on bilateral cooperation, regional security and global challenges.

The EU and Viet Nam recognised the importance of strengthening resilience, diversifying partnerships and promoting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, including through the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The EU and Viet Nam welcomed the momentum in their relations, particularly following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership, including through Global Gateway investments and the Just Energy Transition Partnership. They called for full implementation of the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and swift ratification of the Investment Protection Agreement. They also agreed to work towards developing cooperation on Critical Raw Materials and to continue to deepen cooperation on technology and innovation, education and training, the green transition, strategic infrastructure, the circular economy and the blue economy.

Both sides recognised the potential for cooperation in defence and security in accordance with their respective laws, priorities and policies. They appreciated the role of the EU–Viet Nam Defence and Security Dialogue and existing cooperation frameworks, including those on cooperation on maritime safety and security, cybersecurity, crisis management and capacity-building.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including through the dedicated bilateral dialogue.

Finally, they underscored the importance of effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Presidents von der Leyen and Costa welcomed Viet Nam's constructive role in ASEAN, and the leaders looked forward to the EU–ASEAN Commemorative Summit in 2027 marking 50 years of relations.