Vietnamese President Tô Lâm has advocated for stronger strategic ties with the European Union, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in areas such as trade, technology, green energy, and regional security. During his official visit to Belgium, he addressed the Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels, highlighting the critical role the EU plays in Vietnam’s foreign policy and development goals.
Tô Lâm outlined Vietnam’s ambitions to transform into an innovation-driven economy, stressing the importance of digital transformation, advanced technology, and sustainable development. He noted that Vietnam aspires to become a modern industrialised developing country by 2030 and aims to achieve high-income nation status by 2045.
Key areas for Vietnam-EU cooperation identified by Tô Lâm include trade and investment, supply chain security, cybersecurity, and maritime security. He called for increased European investment in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Additionally, Vietnam seeks to enhance research partnerships and joint innovation initiatives to help Vietnamese businesses meet European environmental standards.
Green energy and sustainable development were also focal points of Tô Lâm’s address. He underscored the importance of addressing environmental challenges, particularly in the Mekong Delta, and encouraged expanded educational, research, and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and the EU.
Highlighting Vietnam’s potential as a bridge between the EU and ASEAN, Tô Lâm advocated for regional cooperation to promote economic growth and a rules-based international order. He suggested that stronger Vietnam-EU and Vietnam-Belgium relations could yield long-lasting opportunities in trade, technology, and innovation.