Vietnamese leader Tô Lâm met European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on 22 October. Their joint release sets out cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established earlier this year.
The leaders called for full implementation of the existing EU–Vietnam free-trade agreement and swift ratification of the separate investment protection agreement. They also highlighted Global Gateway investment and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Critical raw materials, technology, strategic infrastructure and the circular and blue economies feature in the statement. Maritime and cyber security, education and human rights are also part of the wider relationship. The release outlines cooperation priorities; it does not announce a newly operational trade treaty.
Context
Trade implementation, investment protection and energy projects each require their own follow-through.
Sources
Original summary based on the sources above, checked for the October 24, 2026 edition. Reference dates are shown separately from the edition date.