During an official visit to Belgium, Vietnam’s President and General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Tô Lâm, emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU). Speaking at the Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels, he highlighted potential collaboration in trade, technology, green energy, and regional security as key areas for growth.
Tô Lâm underscored the EU’s significant role in Vietnam’s foreign policy and long-term development strategy. Despite differences in political systems and economic development levels, he expressed confidence that both sides could enhance their partnership. Vietnam is aiming to transition towards an innovation-driven economy through digital transformation, advanced technology, sustainable development, and increased productivity, with goals set to become a modern industrialized developing country by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045.
Key priorities for Vietnam–EU cooperation, according to Tô Lâm, include boosting trade and investment, securing supply chains, and improving cybersecurity and maritime security. He also called for increased European investment in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Vietnam seeks closer research partnerships and joint innovation initiatives to help Vietnamese businesses align with European environmental standards.
Green energy and climate change adaptation were also points of focus, with particular attention on addressing environmental challenges in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Tô Lâm encouraged expanding educational partnerships, research collaborations, and cultural exchanges between the two regions.
Moreover, Tô Lâm highlighted Vietnam’s potential role as a bridge between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), promoting regional cooperation and economic growth. He suggested that stronger ties between Vietnam, the EU, and Belgium could create lasting opportunities in trade, technology, and innovation, fostering a rules-based international order.