Vietnam, France look to broader cooperation
VOV.VN - Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man on February 13 called for France’s support aimed at stepping up cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).
At a reception for Mayor of France’s Le Havre city Édouard Philippe in Hanoi, Vice Chairman Man voiced his hope that through the visit, the French delegation will get better understanding of the culture, history, and people of Vietnam, and explore cooperation potential and opportunities between the two sides, especially in logistics and seaport services.
The Vietnamese legislator spoke applauded contributions by Philippe, in his capacity as Prime Minister of France for 2017-2020, and Le Havre’s Mayor and President of the Le Havre Seine Métropole urban community at present.
He also touched upon promoting relations between Vietnam and France and the EU at large, especially after the EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force in 2020.
Vietnam and France hold substantial potential to bolster collaboration across a variety of fields, and raise their bilateral trade in the time ahead, he said, noting that Vietnam places importance to the partnership and comprehensive cooperation with the EU and its member countries.
Man called France a gateway for Vietnam to access Europe, and underlined the country’s important role as a founding member of the EU in helping Vietnam enhance its cooperation with the bloc.
The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
Man said he hopes that the two sides will complete the contents reached by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher this year, including the inauguration of the elevated section Hanoi’s metro line 3 and the organisation of a conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities slated for April in Hanoi.
He called on the French city to continue assisting Vietnamese educational institutions in seeking new partners and helping Vietnam improve the capacity of officials and public servants, while augmenting cooperation in priority areas like renewable energy, climate change response, and digital transformation.
Man suggested Philippe boost collaboration between Le Havre with Vietnamese localities and the Vietnam-France relationship as well as organise delegation exchanges.
He said he hopes that the French Senate will soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), continue implementing the EVFTA and urge the EU to soon remove the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
Philippe, in turn, expressed his impression on Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, saying the Vietnam-France relationship has been developing fruitfully and both nations should work to deepen the partnership in the coming time.
The mayor said his visit is designed to explore cooperation opportunities between Le Harve and Vietnamese localities, as a contribution to reinforcing the Vietnam-France relationship.
He affirmed France’s unwavering and clear foreign policy in developing its cooperation with Vietnam, and that France backs the signing of the EVFTA which will facilitate economic development as well as political ties between the two sides.
The effective implementation of the agreement will bring pragmatic interests to people of both sides, while helping to speed up the ratification of the EVIPA by parliaments of EU member countries in the time ahead, he added.