#EU

European Union flags in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Commentary

EU enlargement: Strategic calculations behind the push for new members

The European Union (EU) is taking concrete steps towards admitting new members. The move reflects Brussels' strategic calculations to build a stronger bloc with greater influence and a more powerful voice in global affairs, while establishing a security buffer around the union. However, the path towards achieving its enlargement ambitions remains fraught with challenges.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.
Viet Nam & World

Top leader's visits elevate ties with Denmark, EU and Belgium: FM

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung has described the visits to Denmark, the European Union (EU) and Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam as a success that has elevated Viet Nam’s relations with the three partners across the board, opening new opportunities for substantive cooperation in support of Viet Nam’s rapid and sustainable development.

General Secretary and President To Lam introduces members of the high-level Vietnamese delegation to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)
Viet Nam & World

Transforming solid foundation of good relations into concrete, substantive cooperation programmes

The official visit to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium by General Secretary and President To Lam, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, has marked a significant turning point. It has strengthened political trust, repositioned bilateral cooperation, and opened opportunities to enhance the development capacity and strategic autonomy of Viet Nam and its partners as both sides enter a new phase of development.

General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse depart Brussels, successfully concluding their official visits to the European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium. (Photo: VNA)
Editorial

Strategic shift in Viet Nam’s relations with European partners

General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation have successfully concluded a State visit to the Kingdom of Denmark and official visits to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium from October 19 to 24, at the invitation of Danish King Frederik X and Queen Mary, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam (L) meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on October 22, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Viet Nam & World

European media hail substantive Viet Nam-EU ties

Major European news outlets have hailed the outcomes of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam’s talks with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on October 22 as a major step forward for Viet Nam-EU ties, which were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly pose for a group photo with King Frederik X of Denmark, Queen Mary, and Crown Prince Christian. (Photo: VNA)
Viet Nam & World

New milestone in Viet Nam’s cooperation with Europe

On the occasion of the state visit to the Kingdom of Denmark and official visits to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, international media outlets and experts have highlighted the significance of these visits in advancing Viet Nam’s traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation with Denmark and Belgium.

General Secretary To Lam receives European Council President Antonio Costa at the Party Central Committee Headquarters on the afternoon of January 29, 2026. (Photo: DANG KHOA)
Editorial

Elevating Viet Nam’s relations with the EU and Belgium to a new level

At the invitation of European Council President Antonio Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and State President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are paying official visits to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam (Photo: VNA)
Politics

Top leader’s upcoming trip to lift ties with Denmark, EU, Belgium: Deputy FM

Party General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to Denmark and official visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium is expected to open new opportunities to strengthen the development capacity and strategic autonomy of Viet Nam and its partners, delivering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses and contributing to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in both regions and globally.

The headquarters of the European Commission (EC) in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Commentary

EU tightens controls on imports

The Council of the European Union (EU) has approved a comprehensive reform package for the bloc’s customs legal framework, in what is being hailed as the most far-reaching overhaul of European customs in more than 50 years. The reform aims to modernise the bloc’s trade control system and rigorously regulate the flow of goods.

EU flags flying outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Xinhua)
Commentary

EU budget blueprint: Strategic ambitions and practical capabilities

The budget is a perennial source of controversy within the European Union (EU), as member states maintain differing views on the scale of contributions and the allocation of funds. The bloc now faces the challenge of striking a balance between its strategic ambitions and the practical capabilities of its member states as it formulates its long-term budget for 2028–2034.

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