Expressing his delight and honor to have a phone conversation with General Secretary To Lam on April 30, which is also a joyous occasion for the Vietnamese people, Chairman Antonio Costa warmly congratulated the General Secretary and remarked that “this historic event is significant not just for Vietnam but also for the global conscience.”
General Secretary To Lam thanked the European Union (EU) and Chairman of the European Council for their warm congratulations on the occasion of Vietnam’s Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day. He emphasized the great significance of the Spring Victory in 1975, a glorious milestone in the history of Vietnam’s nation-building and defense. He affirmed that this event marked a new era in Vietnam’s history—building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous country. This victory was not only a testament to the strength of national unity but also the realization of the Vietnamese people’s aspirations for peace, independence, freedom, and territorial unity. Vietnam cherishes and appreciates the invaluable support of the international community, including the EU member states.
General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of the European Council for his interest and support in fostering the Vietnam–EU relationship. He noted his satisfaction with the dynamic and comprehensive development of Vietnam–EU relations across various fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, defense, security, and new areas such as green transition, science and technology, and innovation. He emphasized that after 35 years of diplomatic relations, both Vietnam and the EU stand at a new stage of development.
General Secretary To Lam affirmed that, amidst global trade challenges, Vietnam advocates for diversification and equal, mutually beneficial cooperation with all partners, including the EU and its member states. He emphasized the importance of striving for balanced and sustainable trade cooperation that harmonizes the interests of all parties to achieve common development goals. He requested both sides to actively engage and coordinate to find common solutions to overcome difficulties and promote strong economic cooperation in the future.
The Chairman of the European Council affirmed that the two sides are “important, reliable, and stable partners” for each other. He was pleased to see the dynamic and robust development of the relationship across all fields. He stated that “Vietnam is a pivotal partner of the EU in Southeast Asia, and the Vietnam–EU relationship deserves to be elevated to a new height.” He added that “the EU is proud to be part of Vietnam’s network of free trade agreements and aspires for the Vietnam–EU relationship to be a model for the EU’s cooperation with other countries.”
Given the complex geopolitical and economic landscape, the Chairman of the European Council expressed the EU’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam to promote free trade and address global challenges, including climate change. He emphasized the need to enhance collaboration in areas such as transportation, infrastructure connectivity, green transition, digital transformation, and innovation.
The Chairman of the European Council agreed and affirmed that he would coordinate to promote bilateral priorities mentioned by General Secretary To Lam. These include high-level delegation exchanges, effective implementation of cooperation mechanisms to overcome difficulties and propose new initiatives, and efficient enforcement of the Vietnam–EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also mentioned pushing for the remaining EU member states to complete the ratification of the Vietnam–EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), supporting Vietnam in effectively implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and requesting the European Commission (EC) to consider lifting the “yellow card” for seafood exports from Vietnam.
Discussing international and regional issues, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam welcomes the EU and its member states’ initiatives to cooperate with the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized a balanced approach with multiple cooperation priorities that align with the countries in the region, including Vietnam. Both leaders agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks to ensure peace, stability, and security globally. They also supported the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
The Chairman of the European Council concurred with General Secretary To Lam’s view that Vietnam is a peace-loving nation, always ready to act as a bridge for peace and reconciliation, and actively and responsibly contributing to regional and global issues.
On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam congratulated the EU and the Chairman of the European Council on the upcoming Europe Day (May 9). He respectfully invited the Chairman of the European Council to visit Vietnam at a convenient time, which he gladly accepted.
“Vietnam and Cambodia Unite to Boost Bilateral Trade to $20 Billion”
The two ministers, Nguyen Hong Dien and Cham Nimul, emphasized the significance of economic and trade cooperation, deeming it a pivotal aspect of strengthening ties between Vietnam and Cambodia. They agreed to set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to 20 billion USD in the coming years.
Crafting an Ecosystem from FTAs to Adapt to Trade Wars and the US’ Countervailing Duty Policies
Leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in production strategy, optimizing input sourcing strategies, and ensuring compliance with rules of origin to enhance competitiveness and adapt to the trade war and the US’ countervailing duty policies.
The Vietnamese Steel Market in Q1 2025: A Tale of Domestic Revival and Export Standstill
The domestic steel industry witnessed robust growth in the first quarter of 2025, with production and consumption on the rise, fueled by an economic rebound and robust public investment disbursements. However, steel exports faced significant headwinds due to international trade barriers, plunging into a deep decline and presenting fresh challenges for steel companies.
The Green Revolution: Celebrating 50 Years of Vietnam’s Agricultural Excellence
Over the past five decades, Vietnamese agriculture has witnessed remarkable progress, evolving from a state of significant scarcity to a country that ensures domestic food security and contributes to global food security as a leading rice exporter. With food security assured, Vietnamese agriculture has gradually transitioned from rice monoculture to a relatively comprehensive agricultural development approach.
Prime Minister Seeks Feedback on Four Key Issues for the Ninth Session of the National Assembly
On April 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government’s Standing Committee to discuss and provide feedback on four crucial agenda items for the upcoming 9th session of the 15th National Assembly, which is set to commence in early May 2025.
