Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Meets EU Ambassadors to Asia-Pacific
On November 11, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng met a delegation of EU ambassadors to the Asia-Pacific region and called for the Vietnam–EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership joint statement to be translated into concrete cooperation projects. EU representatives highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation on supply chains, energy, technology and the green transition.
On the morning of November 11, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng met at the Government Headquarters with a delegation of EU ambassadors to the Asia-Pacific region led by Erik Kurzweil, the European External Action Service’s head of Asia-Pacific affairs. The delegation was in Vietnam to attend an Asia-Pacific regional seminar. Hồ Quốc Dũng said Vietnam attaches great importance to its relationship with the EU and hopes the two sides will turn their joint statement on upgrading relations into concrete plans and cooperation projects.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng and Erik Kurzweil, the European External Action Service’s head of Asia-Pacific affairs.（VietVance）
Vietnam and the EU upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the European Council president’s visit to Vietnam in January 2026. Hồ Quốc Dũng said the two sides also agreed on specific areas of cooperation during Tô Lâm’s visit to the EU in October 2026. Six years after the Vietnam–EU Free Trade Agreement entered into force, the EU is Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market and sixth-largest import market; Vietnam is the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng meets a delegation of EU ambassadors to the Asia-Pacific region.（VietVance）
Hồ Quốc Dũng proposed strengthening high-level exchanges and political dialogue, continuing to implement the Vietnam–EU Free Trade Agreement, and expanding trade and investment cooperation. He also called for joint research and commercialization of research results in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space technology and green technology; cooperation in nuclear energy, hydrogen, wind power, solar power and sustainable transport; and closer coordination in international and regional forums.
Erik Kurzweil said the EU values cooperation on maritime security, supply chain diversification, energy, technology, and the green and digital transitions. He advocated respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He said Vietnam is an important EU partner in ASEAN and that the two sides share concerns about regional stability and multilateral cooperation.
Erik Kurzweil, the European External Action Service’s head of Asia-Pacific affairs, speaks at the meeting.（VietVance）
Julien Guerrier, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said holding the Asia-Pacific regional seminar in Vietnam reflects the country’s importance in the region and in its relationship with the EU. He said the Vietnam–EU Free Trade Agreement is an important foundation for bilateral economic relations and that the two sides have further potential to cooperate on investment protection, renewable energy, infrastructure, high technology and sustainable agriculture.
Source: VietVance
