Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for deeper and more effective implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), with a focus on boosting trade, investment, logistics and regional connectivity.

On March 2, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintayev, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister and the EAEU Chairman spoke highly of the positive results achieved over the past decade since the signing of the Vietnam - EAEU FTA.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to further advance Vietnam - EAEU relations through concrete agreements and cooperation projects; make better use of the FTA; further open markets; promote trade and investment; and capitalize on complementary strengths. He underscored the spirit of solidarity to build strength, cooperation to generate resources, and exchanges to reinforce trust, ensure harmonized interests and share risks.

To enhance bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and EAEU member states in the coming period, the Prime Minister proposed continuing to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms in order to promptly address technical obstacles. He urged EAEU member countries to consider removing safeguard threshold measures and increasing quotas for certain Vietnamese products, as well as expanding imports of Vietnam’s key exports such as agricultural produce, seafood and electronic goods.

He also suggested studying new approaches to developing supply chains, maritime and railway transport, and logistics to facilitate goods exchange between Vietnam and Central Asia, as well as individual EAEU member states. Vietnam is currently promoting the development of a standard-gauge railway connection with China, which would in turn link to Central Asia.

The Prime Minister further proposed that the parties study and assess the possibility of adjusting and amending the Agreement to better align with the new context, based on a comprehensive review of its implementation, ensuring substantive outcomes and balanced benefits for all participants.

Regarding cooperation with Kazakhstan, the Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam–Kazakhstan relations have developed robustly in recent years. The two countries upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of General Secretary To Lam in May 2025.

He called on both sides to continue concretizing and actively implementing the outcomes of high-level visits, promote bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic, trade and investment fields and enhance exchanges of experience in developing international financial centres.

The Prime Minister announced that Vietnam will establish a Trade Representation Office in Central Asia, to be based in Kazakhstan, and proposed studying the launch of a direct air route between Vietnam and Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana.

For his part, Chairman Sagintayev commended the Prime Minister’s contributions to advancing Vietnam - EAEU relations and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to strengthen and develop further. He noted that all EAEU member states are keen to enhance cooperation with Vietnam and affirmed that Vietnam - Kazakhstan relations hold considerable potential for further development.

Reporting on the outcomes of his working session with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade during the visit, the Chairman called for greater promotion of the Joint Committee mechanism for the implementation of the Vietnam - EAEU Agreement. Expressing strong agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, he pledged to actively promote stronger cooperation between Vietnam and the EAEU, as well as between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, and to address obstacles in cooperation as highlighted by the Prime Minister, including efforts to establish air routes between Vietnam and all EAEU member states.

Affirming the mutual need to strengthen cooperation in the new phase and the significant potential underpinned by high political trust, the two sides agreed to organize activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - EAEU FTA in 2026 and to promote cooperation in digital transformation.

The Vietnam - EAEU FTA has become an effective legal framework for promoting bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the EAEU, particularly in creating a favorable trade environment. Bilateral trade turnover grew at an average rate of nearly 30% per year in 2017 - 2018, peaked at over USD 6,3 billion in 2021, and reached nearly USD 6 billion in 2025, almost returning to pre-Covid-19 levels and marking a 5 percent increase compared to 2024.