The Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN and the EU take peace as the goal and consider dialogue as a tool.

This is the first time ASEAN leaders have met with all EU member states. Both sides affirmed the importance of the relationship between the world's two leading regional organizations, each other's "integration partners".

Over the past 45 years, ASEAN-EU relations have developed positively and achieved many results. In 2021, ASEAN was the EU's third largest non-European trading partner, while the EU was ASEAN's third largest trading partner with a total two-way trade value of 268.9 billion USD, and the EU was ASEAN's second largest foreign direct investor with a total capital of 26.5 billion USD.

Looking forward, the two sides agreed to further deepen the Strategic Partnership established in 2020 on the basis of upholding international law, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting recovery, green and sustainable development. The leaders affirmed that they will focus on promoting economic and trade cooperation, stabilizing the supply chain, maintaining the goal of establishing an ASEAN-EU FTA; enhancing connectivity through the implementation of the Joint Statement on Connectivity 2020 and the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, narrowing the development gap and developing sub-regions; cooperating in responding to climate change, digital transformation, energy transformation, disaster management, environmental protection, biodiversity, and preventing and combating illegal fishing.

The EU announced a €10 billion contribution to support the implementation of the Global Gateways strategy through cooperation projects, launched the Group Europe Initiative on Sustainable Connectivity in ASEAN, and launched a €30 million Green Initiative to support specific cooperation projects with ASEAN.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation, share common values ​​and interests, promote international law, address regional and global challenges, and effectively contribute to peace, security, stability and sustainable development. The countries affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, supporting dialogue and building trust, refraining from conducting activities that increase tensions, resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982, calling for full implementation of the DOC Declaration, building an effective and substantive COC in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

The EU supports ASEAN’s efforts to promote the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. Discussing the conflict in Ukraine, the countries stressed the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and international law. Accordingly, differences and disagreements must be resolved peacefully.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the special significance of this Commemorative Summit, marking 45 years of relations between the two successful regional organizations in the world. The Prime Minister affirmed that the achievements of cooperation have created a foundation and are adding momentum to the development of the relationship.

The Prime Minister stressed that both sides need to persevere with their goals, innovate their thinking, act resolutely, and promote the Strategic Partnership for balanced, equal, and harmonized development of interests and risk sharing. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always accompanies EU enterprises investing and doing business in Vietnam, and also requested the EU to promptly remove the “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood and soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement.

Emphasizing the global approach to responding to global challenges, the Prime Minister reiterated Vietnam's strong commitment to combating climate change and green and sustainable development. He asked the EU to provide maximum financial and technological support within the framework of the Partnership for a Just Energy Transition; expected the EU to share information, experience, new green, clean and cheap technologies, and to participate extensively in cooperation on innovation, digital transformation, green economic development, circular economy, etc., and to cooperate with ASEAN in developing sub-regions and the Mekong.

In the face of changing circumstances, the Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN and the EU take peace as their goal, consider dialogue and cooperation as tools, and uphold the rule of law, the United Nations Charter and common values. The Prime Minister affirmed ASEAN's stance on the East Sea, and suggested that ASEAN, the EU and other countries work together to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

Sharing concerns about the conflict in Ukraine, the Prime Minister suggested that the legitimate and legal interests and concerns of all parties should be respected, especially the top priority now being to end the war, protect essential infrastructure, people's lives and property, and affirm ASEAN's common stance on peacefully resolving conflicts and disagreements on the basis of respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, and the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

The conference adopted a Joint Statement reflecting the achievements over the past 45 years and outlining future directions. On the same evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders attended a Reception on the occasion of the Summit to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations./.