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Vietnam and the European Union said connected Thursday (January 29, 2026) they elevated diplomatic relations, arsenic some sides question to expand planetary partnerships amid planetary disruptions.
The mostly diplomatic move entails nary binding commitments but carries political value astatine a clip erstwhile the EU and Vietnam are seeking to deepen planetary ties arsenic they some look up to higher levies connected their exports to the United States.
The upgrade is "a humanities milestone underlining the large achievements that the two sides person made," Vietnam's President Luong Cuong said astatine the commencement of a gathering successful Hanoi with European Council President Antonio Costa.
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) betwixt Vietnam and the 27-country EU entered into unit successful 2020.
Mr. Costa, who arrived successful Hanoi aft the EU struck a large commercialized woody with India connected Tuesday (January 27, 2026), said the upgraded concern "highlights the value we connect to the portion and to Vietnam's increasing role".
"At a infinitesimal erstwhile the planetary rules-based bid is nether menace from aggregate sides, we request to commencement to basal broadside by broadside arsenic reliable and predictable partners," Mr. Costa added.
The elevation of ties to Vietnam's highest level, the aforesaid arsenic the United States, China and Russia, usually involves much predominant high-level meetings.
It is besides expected to make a stronger partnership, according to a associated connection adopted connected Thursday (January 29, 2026), which says the 2 sides volition research and deepen practice successful multiple sectors, including defence, captious minerals, semiconductors, transport and "trusted communications infrastructure", confirming a Reuters study connected Wednesday (January 28, 2026).
Mr. Costa acknowledged antithetic views with Vietnam, a long-time Russian partner, over the warfare successful Ukraine and quality rights. But helium added that the 2 countries hold connected their enactment of multilateralism and "the principles of independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
