EuroCham’s recent mission to Brussels was a milestone in advancing key advocacy topics and deepening ties with EU leaders—paving the way for stronger EU-Vietnam trade relations.
Over three impactful days (March 24-26), the EuroCham delegation engaged in high-level discussions with EU Commission officials and Vietnamese representatives in the EU. Key topics included EVFTA implementation, renewable energy, Vietnam’s investment landscape, digital initiatives, and disaster recovery aid. We ensured that the challenges and priorities of European businesses in Vietnam were heard at the heart of EU decision-making.
Led by EuroCham Vietnam Chairman Bruno Jaspaert and accompanied by EU Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Julien Guerrier, the full EuroCham’s delegation includes:
- Jean-Jacques Bouflet – Vice Chairman in charge of Advocacy
- Delphine Rousselet – Executive Director
- Nguyen Cam Van – Head of Hanoi office cum External Relations Manager
- Truong Ngoc Diep – Advocacy Manager
- Bruno Sivanandan – Co-Chairman of the Digital Sector Committee (DSC)
- Aleksandrs Parfjonovs – Vice Chairman of the European Standards Medicines Sector Committee (ESM)
- Paul-Antoine Croizé – Co-Chairman of the Food, Agri & Aqua Business Sector Committee (FAABS)
- Dinh Nguyen Phan – Vice Chairman of the Green Growth Sector Committee (GGSC)
- Nicolas Audier – Former Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, from 2017 to 2021
Continue reading for key highlights from each day in our mission.
Day 1: A powerful start covering digital solutions, EVFTA implementation, sustainable finance, and energy cooperation
- Boosting EU-Vietnam Innovation Cooperation: Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva (Startups, Research & Innovation) outlined Europe’s strategic focus on digital sovereignty, including cloud solutions under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe. We shared insights on Vietnam’s economic security and strategic autonomy, including a preference for European data transmission for offshore wind farms.
- Strengthening Trade Relations: In discussions with DG TRADE leaders, Deputy Director-General Denis Redonnet and Maria Martin-Prat, Director of Trade C Dora Correia, and Policy Officer, Trade relations with Vietnam & COASI coordinator Júlia Tősér, we tackled EVFTA implementation challenges and explored ways to unlock Vietnam’s trade potential.
- Strategic Dialogue at the Vietnamese Embassy: Hosted by Ambassador H.E. Nguyen Van Thao, the EuroCham delegation met with DG ENV Deputy Director-General Patrick Child and International Relations Officer Valentina Beomonte Zobel to discuss trade, innovation, renewable energy, and sustainable finance. The roundtable fostered mutual understanding on strengthening EU-Vietnam partnerships, concluding with a networking reception to deepen collaboration.
- Accelerating Renewable Energy Cooperation: Nguyen Phan Dinh, Head of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (EuroCham’s Green Growth Sector Committee), engaged with EU Commissioner for Energy & Housing, Dan Jorgensen, in a session organised by EU-ABC. Key topics included aligning ASEAN-EU energy regulations, strengthening renewable energy partnerships (solar, wind, hydrogen), and securing stable, diversified energy supply chains.
Day 2: Vietnam at the centre of discussion – covering Vietnam’s investment landscape, CBAM implementation, enhancing EU-Vietnam partnership, climate resilience, and digital cooperation
- Partnering with BusinessEurope: EuroCham met with Luisa Santos (Deputy Director General) and Elena Suárez Sánchez (Senior Advisor) to discuss Vietnam’s investment landscape and the sector specific opportunities and challenges. A key focus was CBAM implementation, where both sides will continue to collaborate in knowledge-sharing to ensure clear and practical guidance for European businesses.
- Strategic Dialogue with DG INTPA: In discussions with Director DIR C, Asia & Pacific Peteris Ustubs , Head of Unit, South & Southeast Asia Mario Ronconi, and Geo-Coordinator for Southeast Asia Francesca Flagiello, EuroCham expressed gratitude for DG INTPA’s support in securing the honourable participation of Vice President Schinas in GEFE 2024. Our talks spanned over various industries, covering digital transformation, renewable energy, and agribusiness cooperation, with DG INTPA reaffirming its commitment to enhancing Vietnam’s strategic partnership with the EU.
- Strengthening Global Climate Resilience: In our meeting with the Cabinet of Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (Equality, Preparedness & Crisis Management) – including Head of Cabinet Jan Hoogmartens and Deputy Head of Cabinet Jasna Pajnkihar – we underscored the need for stronger collaboration on disaster recovery, particularly in the wake of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam and other extreme weather events worldwide. The EU highlighted its disaster risk reduction initiatives and reaffirmed its commitment to civil protection and resilience-building efforts.
- Advancing Digital Cooperation: In our meeting with the Cabinet of Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen, including Member of Cabinet and Diplomatic Advisor Xavier Coget and Head of Sector for Asia-Pacific, DG CONNECT Orsolya Csorba, we discussed key digital priorities, such as EU Digital Sovereignty and Vietnam as a Digital Hub. The EU highlighted that the digital agenda, alongside its green transition, remains central to its engagement with Vietnam.
Day 3: Wrapping up strong with discussions on agricultural ties, green growth, and trade resilience.
- Strengthening Agricultural Ties: We met with DG AGRI’s team, including Director of International, AGRI.G Elisabetta Siracussa, Deputy Head of Unit, AGRI G.3 – Asia & Australia Raimondo Serra, and Desk Officer for Vietnam, Asia & Australasia Nuno Vicente. Discussion included leveraging 2025 as a pivotal year for EU-Vietnam agricultural cooperation, promoting EU standards, and deepening engagement with Vietnamese ministries.
- Driving Green Growth: EuroCham engaged with the Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela, including Head of Cabinet Lucie Sestakova and Cabinet Expert for Asia Nati Lorenzo. We explored partnerships in circular economy, water and energy, sustainable cities and buildings, ESG disclosures, and JETP – all aimed at bridging EU-Vietnam technical expertise for a greener future.
- Furthering Collaborations: In discussions with the European External Action Service (EEAS), including Managing Director for Asia & Pacific Niclas Kvarnstrom and Head of Division Southeast Asia Leila Fernandez Stembridge, we examined strategies to enhance EU-Vietnam partnership and future cooperation with Vietnam.
- Trade & Economic Resilience: Meeting with the European Parliament’s INTA Committee’s Chairman Bernd Lange, we assessed the EVFTA’s impact, labour market potential, and the role of Team Europe in driving economic growth and supply chain diversification.
EuroCham extend our sincere gratitude to all partners, delegates, and stakeholders who contributed to the success of this mission. A special thanks to Air France for their generous sponsorship.
We are committed to continuing to advocate for a prosperous and sustainable economy in Vietnam – bridging collaborations between Vietnamese and EU leaders and the European business community in the country.
