Impression of General Secretary and President To Lam's visit to Europe
The visit to Denmark, the EU and Belgium by General Secretary and President To Lam opens up a new cooperation framework, creating more resources to serve Vietnam's development.
According to Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, the State visit to the Kingdom of Denmark, official visit to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium from October 19-24, 2026 by General Secretary and President To Lam is of great significance, showing Vietnam's respect for European partners, and at the same time contributing to consolidating the foreign affairs situation, expanding the network of reliable partners and strengthening the connection between Vietnam and Europe on both bilateral and regional levels.
Notable imprints
One of the outstanding results is that Vietnam and Denmark agreed to upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, making Denmark the second country in the EU to have this relationship framework with Vietnam.
According to Minister Le Hoai Trung, Denmark positions Vietnam as a leading partner and strategic bridge in Southeast Asia. The new relationship framework creates a basis for improving political trust, promoting cooperation in politics, foreign affairs, economy, science - technology and education - training. The two sides identify economy, trade and investment as important pillars, while focusing on renewable energy, offshore wind power, green transformation, seaports, logistics and blue sea transport.
With the EU, the exchanges between General Secretary and President To Lam and the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission continue to consolidate understanding, political trust and create a new framework for cooperation.
Cooperation is not limited to trade and investment attraction, the two sides also exchange views on science and technology, innovation, essential raw materials, strategic infrastructure, circular economy and marine economy; and promote the exploitation of Global Gateway, JETP and Horizon Europe mechanisms.
The two sides agreed to strengthen contacts, strategic dialogue, and expand cooperation in new fields, including defense - security, maritime security and response to non-traditional security challenges.
In Belgium, the Federal House of Representatives' approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) right before the official activities of the visit shows goodwill and importance for relations with Vietnam.
Senior leaders of the two countries agreed on a vision towards upgrading relations to a Strategic Partnership, in line with the increasingly expanding scope of cooperation. The two sides identified new directions of cooperation in seaports, logistics, clean energy, science and technology, and high-quality human resource training.
Promote substantive cooperation projects, turn commitments into specific programs
Minister Le Hoai Trung said that leaders and the business community of partners highly appreciate Vietnam's development path, especially efforts to improve institutions, develop infrastructure and improve the quality of human resources.
Through economic and trade forums and business contacts during the visit, many European corporations and businesses introduced plans and projects expected to be implemented in Vietnam, with a preliminary exchange scale of about 20 billion euros.
Vietnam and its partners agreed to continue to effectively utilize the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), promote trade, investment and remove difficulties and obstacles. Vietnam proposed that the remaining EU member states soon ratify EVIPA, and at the same time proposed that the EU soon remove the IUU "yellow card" warning for Vietnamese seafood.
Regarding tasks in the coming time, Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized that the most important requirement is to transform common awareness, commitments and high-level agreements into specific programs, projects and products.
Vietnam needs to promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, take advantage of EVFTA, promote EVIPA ratification and improve its capacity to meet EU market standards.
Minister Le Hoai Trung expressed his belief that the relationship between Vietnam and Denmark, the EU and Belgium will continue to develop deeply and effectively, making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.
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