HRVP Kaja Kallas meets Vietnam’s Foreign and Defence Ministers to advance cooperation under the EU-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

In her meeting with Foreign Minister Trung, HRVP Kallas underscored the EU’s commitment to maritime security and freedom of navigation, urging Vietnam to join the EU’s "No Fees, No Tolls" pledge to safeguard critical maritime routes. Discussions also covered South China Sea tensions, with both sides reaffirming support for UNCLOS and a rules-based order. The HRVP explored ways to enhance ASEAN-EU cooperation ahead of the 2027 EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.

With Defence Minister Giang, HRVP Kallas focused on defence diversification. The two sides also discussed expanding maritime domain awareness through the CRIMARIO programme, protecting critical infrastructure like subsea cables, and deepening peacekeeping and cybersecurity cooperation. 

HRVP Kallas welcomed Vietnam’s role in ASEAN-led security architectures and reiterated the EU’s readiness to support defence modernisation, climate resilience, and supply chain diversification. The discussions set the stage for deeper EU-Vietnam collaboration on security, innovation, and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific.