Party leader pushes for stronger partnership between Vietnam and France
VOV.VN - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on December 8 received French Senate President Gerard Larcher who is in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam.
Trong recalled his France visit in 2018 and affirmed Vietnam desires to strengthen relations with France. He welcomed the results of earlier talks between leaders of the Vietnam National Assembly and the French Senate, noting parliamentary diplomacy plays an important role in bilateral relations.
He suggested the two sides increase reciprocal visit exchanges and continue to share views on regional and international issues of mutual concern at multilateral parliamentary forums.
The party leader also suggested the two sides further promote cooperation to raise their strategic partnership to new heights, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples and contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the wider world.
Larcher, for his part, briefed his host on the results of his earlier talks with Vietnam National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, saying both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, including cooperation between their parliamentary committees.
He affirmed that the strategic partnership between the two countries is developing strongly and deeply in all fields, and that France attaches importance to the position and role of Vietnam as well as the France – Vietnam relationship.
The French Senate President expressed his wish the two countries would promote future cooperation in areas such as digital technology, digital transformation, green transition, renewable energy, climate change response, sustainable development, and national defense, besides consolidating traditional areas of cooperation including decentralized cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern. On this occasion, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong conveyed his cordial greetings to French President Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders.
At another meeting with the French Senate President, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam considers France a leading important partner in its diplomatic policy.
France is always a leading European trade, investment and development assistance partner of Vietnam, he said, adding two-way trade rose 18% year on year to US$3.51 billion in the first eight months of this year which is expected to grow strongly on the back of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The Vietnamese President suggested the French Senate soon approve the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and prompt the European Commission to remove its "yellow card" warning against Vietnam’s aquatic products.
Larcher, for his part, told the host that the two countries had unveiled the logo of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
He hailed Vietnam’s important contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world and said France also supports freedom of overflight and navigation in the East Sea.
President Phuc on this occasion asked Larcher to convey his invitation to French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Vietnam soon.
While receiving the French guest on the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two sides fully and effectively implement the EVFTA to take advantage of the great opportunities it offers.
He wished France to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese exports, especially agricultural and aquatic products, to access the French market; and encouraged French firms to continue investing in Vietnam in such areas they have strengths as digital and green transformation, and renewable energy.
The government leader said Vietnam hopes that France will soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in order to create a driving force for promoting investment relations between the nations.
