While meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Nice, France, on June 8, Barrot thanked Vietnam for its active engagement and support for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice.

Vietnam is an active and responsible member of international organisations, making practical contributions to global affairs, he told Son.

Barrot said the October 2024 upgrade of the Vietnam-France relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the May 2025 visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam demonstrate the growing trust and importance France places on Vietnam.

France desires to further enhance cooperation in a practical and substantive manner with Vietnam, he stated.  

Son, for his part, highly appreciated the strong progress in Vietnam-France relations in recent years, especially since the establishment of the new partnership framework during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France.

He commended France’s thorough preparations for UNOC 3 and reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for France’s initiatives in addressing non-traditional security challenges, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and globally.

Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in promoting high-level delegation exchanges and effectively implementing signed cooperation documents. They underlined the need to foster cooperation in areas where France has strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as defence and security, including cybersecurity, aerospace, transportation, strategic infrastructure, and energy.

Son on this occasion extended an invitation to French leaders to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, to be held in Hanoi in October 2025.

Barrot warmly welcomed the invitation and committed to promoting the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), aiming to facilitate business activities between the two countries as well as with European enterprises operating in each side.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, identifying it as a promising new pillar in their comprehensive strategic partnership.

On regional and international issues, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism with the United Nations at its core in maintaining global peace and stability.

Regarding ocean-related issues, both ministers emphasised the significance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the comprehensive legal framework for all maritime activities and cooperation.

They reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, and to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. They also expressed support for efforts to soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) consistent with international law, especially UNCLOS.

Son took this opportunity to invite Barrot to visit Vietnam soon, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Vietnam affirms commitment to global ocean protection efforts

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to being a trusted partner, ready to join global efforts to protect the oceans, at Plenary Session 4 of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum held in the Principality of Monaco on June 8.