To Lam starts official visits to EU, Belgium
VGP - General Secretary and President To Lam arrived in Brussels on Wednesday, starting his official visits to the European Union and Belgium at the invitations of President of the European Council António Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
General Secretary and President To Lam arrives in Brussels on October 21, starting his official visits to the European Union and Belgium. Photo: VNA
The visits convey a strong message about Viet Nam's foreign policy in its new development phase, demonstrating the country's commitment to strengthening political trust and expanding cooperation with key European partners, said Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Thi Thu Hang.
The visits are also expected to inject fresh momentum for cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, green growth and sustainable development, while opening a new chapter in Viet Nam's relations with the EU and Belgium through more substantive and effective partnerships, she noted.
Viet Nam and the EU officially established diplomatic relations on November 28, 1990. The two sides elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in December 2020, and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026 to elevate their relations to new heights bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally.
Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides pledged to continue to deepen cooperation in the following areas to deliver practical outcomes, while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world, in line with existing agreements.
The EU is currently Viet Nam's fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market, and fifth-largest import market. Viet Nam, in turn, is the EU's 16th largest trading partner worldwide and its largest partner within ASEAN. Official figures show that bilateral trade surpassed US$66.8 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.6 percent.
In terms of investment, the EU ranks sixth among 140 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with total registered investment capital reaching US$30 billion. Viet Nam has invested in the EU, with 98 projects worth US$434.88 million.
The two sides have established an important framework for cooperation on climate change, notably through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with the G7 countries and the EU. The EU is considered as a key partner in assisting Viet Nam in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as pledged at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Viet Nam and Belgium set up on March 22, 1973. Last year, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium made the first-ever State visit to Viet Nam.
Over the past more than five decades, the two countries have maintained friendly relations and cooperation across various fields. Bilateral ties gained fresh momentum following the state visit to Viet Nam by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in 2025.
The two-way trade value was estimated at US$4.7 billion in 2025./.