At the meeting, Hang proposed that the friendship groups in both countries strengthen their role as a bridge to enhance cooperation between the two legislatures and advance Vietnam–France relations overall.

Senator Cadec affirmed that the French Senate and the friendship group would continue supporting the deepening of bilateral ties, in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed readiness to accompany Vietnam in its new stage of development.

Agreeing with Hang’s recommendations, Cadec laid stress on the need to fully tap the potential for economic cooperation, especially in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, including seaports, aviation, high-speed rail and urban transport, as well as energy diversification and security. He also expressed support for the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the French Parliament.

The senator acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts to implement the European Union’s recommendations on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and pledged to advocate for the European Commission to lift its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports soon.

Hang emphasized that Vietnam highly valued France’s cooperation in education and high-quality human resource development, science, technology and innovation, healthcare, culture, and archival preservation. She called for deeper collaboration in these areas, including efforts to restore and promote the historical and cultural value of Long Bien Bridge. She also encouraged the friendship group and French senators to leverage their influence in supporting the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in France.

Both sides consented to bolster cooperation in tourism, people-to-people exchanges, Francophonie, and local partnerships, while preparing for the 13th Vietnam–France locality-to-locality cooperation conference in France.

On the East Sea, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, prosperity and a rules-based international order. They underscored the significance of freedom and safety of navigation and aviation and reiterated support for ASEAN’s stance on resolving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

NA Vice Chairman receives France – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Khac Dinh on September 18 received a delegation of the France–Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group of the French Senate, led by its Chairman Senator Alain Cadec, during their working visit to Vietnam.

Friendship, partnership, trust form pillars driving Vietnam – France relations: Ambassador

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet has underscored friendship, partnership, and trust as the three motives and description of the Vietnam – France relations over the recent past.