Vietnam and France elevate ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Party General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam and President Emmanuel Macron of France outlined major directions and measures to deepen and make the new partnership framework increasingly practical in the new context.

As security and defense cooperation is one of the important pillars, the two sides agreed to effectively implement the signed cooperation agreements and soon organize a Strategic Security and Defense Dialogue. They also agreed to coordinate and support each other in officer training, share experience in crime prevention and combat, while mutually supporting each other at regional and global security forums.

To Lam highly appreciated the recent visit to Vietnam by French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory at Dien Bien Phu, which reflects a spirit of respecting history, breaking with the past and looking into the future.

Both sides appreciated cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries in economic cooperation. They agreed to continue promoting France’s preferential loans and ODA for Vietnam, and encouraged business associations of both countries to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

To Lam urged France to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), acknowledge Vietnam’s efforts in sustainable fisheries transition, and support the European Commission (EC) in lifting the yellow card against Vietnamese seafood exports.

Macron for his part emphasized that the EVFTA is an important driving force for enhancing economic and trade relations between the two parties, and that he would soon urge the French National Assembly to approve the EVIPA. The French President praised Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and green transition.

Both sides consented to strengthen cooperation in areas where France has strengths and potential, such as infrastructure, aerospace, science and technology, renewable energy, and hydrogen energy. Recognizing the positive results of cooperation in the field of science and technology, they agreed to increase cooperation in new areas such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, and airport infrastructure.

In the fields of health care and education, they stressed the need to enhance high-quality human resource training, facilitate Vietnamese students’ study in France with more scholarships, and encourage citizens of both countries to participate in major cultural events in their territories.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in ecological agriculture and circular agriculture, as well as in trilateral cooperation between Vietnam, France, and southern countries to ensure global food security.

Macron appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in responding to climate change. In turn, To Lam spoke highly of France’s pioneering and leading role in the fight against climate change. He expressed a desire for both sides to continue cooperation in developing ecosystem-based models and enhancing the resilience of urban areas and coastal regions, particularly the Mekong Delta.

The French leader praised the role of the Vietnamese community in France, viewing them as an important bridge between the two countries. He affirmed that France would continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates living and working in their host country.

With regard to multilateral cooperation, both sides recognized ASEAN’s central role in the region and committed to further enhancing France’s relations with ASEAN as well as the EU-ASEAN partnership. They pledged to continue mutual support at multilateral forums and international organizations such as ASEM, the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, La Francophonie, and the United Nations.

Macron emphasized that France values Vietnam’s perspective on ending violence, de-escalating tensions, and calling on parties to resolve conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other places through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, To Lam invited Macron to visit Vietnam soon. Macron happily accepted the invitation, and said he would visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

After the talks, a number of cooperation documents in the fields of diplomacy, culture, education, transportation, and internal affairs were signed by the ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries.