The EU is strengthening ties with Vietnam. Diplomatic contacts are being upgraded to the highest level, Council President António Costa announced during a visit to Hanoi.
In a situation where the international, rules-based order is threatened from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners, said Costa.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong describes it as a historic milestone. His country has enjoyed strong growth despite its biggest export market, the United States, imposing tariffs of 20 percent last year.
Vietnam already has partnerships of this kind with China, Russia and the United States.
