EU Ambassador highlights significance of General Secretary, President To Lam's upcoming EU visit

General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse will pay a State visit to Denmark and official visit to the EU and Belgium from October 19-24 at the invitations of King of Denmark Frederik X and the Queen, President of the European Council António Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Guerrier noted that over 35 years of diplomatic relations, the EU and Viet Nam has cultivated a strong, broad-based and increasingly substantive partnership spanning all areas.

The establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in recent January marked a new milestone, providing a framework for Viet Nam and the EU to further strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual engagement.

The visit by the top Vietnamese leader to the EU reflects the importance both sides attach to their relationship. It also provides an opportunity to review the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, identify new areas for cooperation and elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

According to the Ambassador, discussions between To Lam and the EU leaders will cover a broad range of shared priorities, including trade and investment, energy, education, science and technology, and security, with an emphasis on converting common strategic objectives into practical achievements.

Viet Nam, EU strengthen security and maritime cooperation

Guerrier highlighted Viet Nam's role as a key partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific, noting that the two sides share important interests in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. Cooperation has expanded beyond traditional economic ties to encompass peacekeeping, defense engagement and maritime security.

Viet Nam is the EU's only partner in ASEAN with a Framework Participation Agreement, which enables Vietnamese personnel to participate in EU missions. Under this framework, Vietnamese peacekeeping officers have contributed to EU operations in Africa, while an EU military officer in Viet Nam has supported training for Vietnamese personnel preparing to participate in both EU and United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The Ambassador described Viet Nam's participation in international peacekeeping operations, including deployments to Sudan and South Sudan, as evidence of its growing contribution to international peace and security.

Looking ahead, the EU seeks to further expand bilateral cooperation with Viet Nam in maritime security, protection of undersea cables, counter-terrorism and other areas of mutual concern. The two sides also see opportunities to advance cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms and other regional frameworks.

Guerrier said the EU expects that the relations between the two blocs could be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership next year, coinciding with the 50th founding anniversary of their dialogue partnership. Such an upgrade would provide additional impetus for ASEAN-EU cooperation on regional and global challenges.

EU advocates Viet Nam's growing international role

The Ambassador welcomed Viet Nam's increasingly prominent role in regional and international affairs, particularly as the country prepares to host major events and summits, including APEC 2027.

He noted that Viet Nam has become more proactive within ASEAN and other multilateral institutions, reflecting its growing economic weight, strategic significance and diplomatic reach.

The ASEAN Future Forum, initiated by Viet Nam over the past three years, has provided a platform for discussing the future direction of the regional organization and strengthening strategic dialogue on regional and global issues.

Viet Nam's chairmanship of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this year and its role in organizing the signing ceremony of the Ha Noi Convention against Cybercrime last year further demonstrate its commitment to international cooperation and multilateral engagement.

These efforts, Guerrier said, were welcomed and encouraged by the EU, which stands ready to accompany and support Viet Nam in advancing its role across regional and international forums.

Regarding APEC 2027, the Ambassador expressed the EU's hope of being associated with the summit's success. He said the forum could provide an important opportunity to discuss issues of common concern, including peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, international trade and other priorities shared by APEC members.

Such engagement would also create opportunities for the EU and Viet Nam to work with like-minded partners in promoting dialogue, cooperation and a stable international environment.

Viet Nam becomes influential middle power

Guerrier described Viet Nam's growing international standing as a reflection of its transformation across economic, strategic and political dimensions. With an increasingly active and foreign policy, Viet Nam has developed constructive relations with partners around the world, strengthening its ability to contribute to international initiatives and facilitate cooperation among countries.

In his view, the diplomat shared that Viet Nam has emerged as a middle power with an increasingly important voice in international affairs. The country's diplomatic approach and broad network of partnerships have placed it in a strong position to convene international stakeholders, coordinate multilateral initiatives and help build consensus on issues of shared concern.

For the EU, Viet Nam's expanding international role is not only a reflection of the country's own development but also an opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two sides committed to multilateralism, peaceful engagement and a rules-based international order. 

By combining the momentum of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with closer coordination in regional and global forums, Viet Nam and the EU can further strengthen their relationship while contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific and beyond./.