On Wednesday 31 July, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, concluded his visit to Vietnam to strengthen ties between the EU and its largest trading partner in Southeast Asia (see EUROPE 13464/14) and to elevate this partnership “to the rank of a comprehensive and strategic partnership”.
Mr Borrell reiterated the importance the EU attaches to its relations with Vietnam, but also with all the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (see EUROPE 13463/13), as part of its strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.
“In Europe, we are fully convinced that the history of humanity in the 21st century will be written in this region”, he said.
Mr Borrell was particularly pleased with the free trade agreement which came into force in 2020 and has increased trade between the EU and Vietnam by 36%.
He also stressed, among other things, the need to support Vietnam’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, mentioning the necessary implementation of their Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
The head of European diplomacy went on to discuss the various global crises and geopolitical challenges, such as Russia’s war against Ukraine, and called on Vietnam to use its influence to put an end to this war.
“We know that Vietnam has good relations with Russia; President Putin was here a few days ago. I have asked my interlocutors to use this influence to make Mr Putin understand that this war must end”, he declared. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)