Economic cooperation a solid pillar of Vietnam – France strategic partnership
VOV.VN - Economic cooperation plays a pivotal role in the Vietnam-France strategic partnership, affirmed Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne during their phone talks on November 28.
The two leaders examined the implementation of key economic cooperation projects in bilateral relations, especially the Nhon- Hanoi Railway urban rail route, with the elevated section scheduled to be put into commercial operation before the end of this year.
Chinh assured Borne that Vietnam attaches great importance to its relationship with France, an important member of the EU and a strategic partner for Vietnam. He thanked the French Government and people for supporting 5.5 million doses of vaccines, helping Vietnam overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Borne for her part congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in post-pandemic economic recovery, and suggested the two countries work closely to enhance the Vietnam-France strategic partnership through conducting reciprocal visit exchanges, implementing existing cooperation mechanisms and strengthening cooperation activities to celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomacy in 2023.
She expressed France’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of digital economy, digital transformation, infrastructure construction and especially renewable energy. She agreed to promote the full and effective implementation of and to take advantage of the great opportunities of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Meanwhile, Chinh asked France to create conditions for Vietnam’s seasonal agricultural products to access the French market. He proposed that France soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in order to facilitate bilateral investment, and at the same time lobby the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the yellow card for Vietnamese seafood.
The Vietnamese PM welcomed the results of bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, education and health in recent times, while asking France to increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students wishing to study in France, and supporting Vietnam in the restoration and preservation of cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO.
He suggested the French Government continue to support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates, to successfully integrate into the local community and serve as a bridge in the relationship between the two countries especially in the post-pandemic period.
The two PMs also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and affirmed the two countries’ close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.
Chinh highly appreciated France’s dynamic policy in the Indo-Pacific region and supported its active role in responding to common challenges in the region.
The two PMs continued to affirm the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Chinh on this occasion invited Borne to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.