[Salon] Vietnam and EU raised diplomatic relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership

[Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>]

https://harici.com.tr/vietnam-ve-ab-diplomatik-iliskilerini-bir-ust-seviyeye-tasiyor/

Vietnam and EU raised diplomatic relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership

Harici.com.tr 29.01.2026 16:05Author

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) announced on Thursday that they had elevated their diplomatic relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership at a time when both sides were tending to expand their international partnerships in the midshake on a global scale.

This move demonstrates Brussels' goals to deepen its influence in Southeast Asia's rapidly growing manufacturing center by placing the EU in the same high-level diplomatic category as the US, China and Russia.

Although this largely diplomatic step does not involve binding commitments, it also carries a significant political weight in a period when both the EU and Vietnam are facing higher taxes on exports to the United States.

At the beginning of his meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa in Hanoi, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong said that this upgrade was “a historic turning point that underlines the great achievements of the two sides”.

The free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU, which consists of 27 countries, came into force in 2020.

Coming to Hanoi on Tuesday after the EU signed a major trade deal with India, Costa said the upgraded partnership “demonstrates the importance we attach to the region and Vietnam's growing role.”

Costa also said, "In a period when the international rule-based order is under threat from many fronts, we need to start standing side by side as reliable and predictable partners."

The maximization of relations with Vietnam, including the same level as the US, China and Russia, often leads to more frequent high-level contacts.

As stated in the joint statement adopted on Thursday, this step is expected to create a stronger partnership. According to the statement, the parties will investigate and deepen cooperation in many sectors, including defense, critical minerals, semiconductors, transportation and “reliable communication infrastructure”.

Costa admitted that they have different views on war and human rights issues in Ukraine with Vietnam, which has long been Russia's partner.

In addition, Costa added that the two countries meet in a common position to support multilateralism and within the framework of "independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty".