The European Commission and Viet Nam issued a joint statement upgrading EU–Viet Nam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting out a broad agenda to deepen cooperation under existing frameworks including the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation and the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement. On the economic and investment track, the partnership emphasises stronger dialogue on economic and trade policy and related regulation, and greater use of EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement governance structures, including plans to establish an EU–Viet Nam task force to address trade and investment obstacles and guide future sectoral cooperation. The statement also flags work to strengthen the regulatory and investment framework using available financial tools, explore cooperation on financial sector development in Viet Nam, and step up banking regulation, inspection and supervision information exchange between Viet Nam and EU Member States. Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism cooperation is also set to expand through information exchanges and possible cooperation agreements, alongside cooperation on carbon markets and carbon pricing, including emissions trading schemes. Next steps referenced include establishing the EU–Viet Nam task force in the coming period, advancing ratification of the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement, and taking forward potential new workstreams such as AML/CFT cooperation agreements and a possible environment and climate change working group covering, among other areas, carbon pricing.

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