European Council President António Costa expressed hope that metro users would clearly feel the significance of the Vietnam-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Photo: Pham HaiAnnounced on January 29 in Hanoi during President of the European Council António Costa’s visit, this upgrade marks the EU’s first comprehensive strategic partnership with a country in Southeast Asia. Alongside the EU’s strategic partnership with ASEAN, the elevation of EU-Vietnam relations underlines the strong focus on partnership that the EU and its 27 member states place on this region. As a member state of the European Union, Sweden views this upgrade as a clear expression of the EU’s long-term commitment to Vietnam. The EU sees Vietnam not only as a key partner, but as a strategic anchor in ASEAN, with the EU now Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market and fifth-largest import source, and Vietnam the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Source: Tuoitre News January 31, 2026 05:29 UTC