During a press gathering on Jan. 26, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier stated that Costa's visit was extremely important, conveying a clear indication that the EU aims to bolster partnerships with allies, including Vietnam, thereby aiding in the development of a rules-based, multilateral framework.

Ambassador Guerrier pointed out that over the last 35 years, the relations between the EU and Vietnam have progressively matured into one of the most robust and all-encompassing collaborations, covering various fields such as economy, trade, investment, sustainable growth, security, defense, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges.

He expressed confidence that "the moment has arrived for the EU and Vietnam to advance their relationship to a higher level."

The European Council represents the EU's top political decision-making authority. Costa, 64, held the position of Portugal’s prime minister from 2015 to 2024 and has been the President of the European Council since December 2024.

Vietnam and the EU established diplomatic ties on Nov. 28, 1990. In the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral trade exceeded US$66.8 billion, reflecting a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year.

The EU ranks as Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest market for exports, and fifth-largest source for imports. Vietnam is the EU's 16th-largest global trading partner and the largest within ASEAN.