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Vietnam and Hungary have agreed to strengthen their comprehensive partnership following talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Tamas Sulyok.

Key areas of collaboration include boosting bilateral commerce to $2bn USD, financing development projects with Hungarian concessional loans, and strengthening relations in education, labor, nuclear energy, medicines, and climate response, Xinhua reported.

Both sides agreed to strengthen political coordination and international involvement. To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, Vietnam and Hungary will organize joint cultural and people-to-people exchange activities.

The EU and UAE have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, aiming to boost trade in goods, services, digital commerce, and strategic sectors like renewable energy. Talks will begin in June following a meeting in Dubai between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and UAE Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, as reported by Xinhua.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the decision as a significant step toward improving EU-Gulf ties. The negotiations come as the EU aims to reduce its reliance on US trade, following US President Donald Trump's declaration of a 50 percent tax on EU exports, which has now been postponed until July 9. Trump welcomed the talks but warned of trade measures if no deal is reached.

The European Union officially lifted nearly all economic sanctions on Syria Wednesday, following a political agreement announced on May 20. The Council of the EU confirmed the decision, emphasizing its goal to support Syria’s recovery and political transition after years of conflict.

The sanctions, which were imposed more than a decade ago to put pressure on the Syrian government during the civil war, will be lifted in order to permit humanitarian supplies, boost reconstruction, and stabilize the Syrian economy. This marks a significant shift in the EU’s approach to the war-torn country, Reuters reported.

ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China conducted their first trilateral meeting in Malaysia, where they agreed to boost economic ties and promote free trade.

In a joint statement, the three countries pledged to complete the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement and upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area to benefit their respective populations, according to Al Jazeera.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the combined GDP of the three blocs is $24.87trn, with a population of 2.15bn, offering vast potential for investment and innovation. He stressed ASEAN’s commitment to balanced ties with all major powers, including the US.

Experts noted the meeting highlighted China’s growing role as a global power, particularly in forums where the US is absent, Al Jazeera reported.