Vietnam gives high priority to strengthening strategic partnership with France
Vietnam attaches importance to and gives high priority to strengthening its strategic partnership with France, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told French President Emmanuel Macron during their phone talks on October 20.
Trong noted with satisfaction the fine, comprehensive development of the Vietnam – France strategic partnership over the years, saying both sides have actively implemented the contents of the Vietnam – France Joint Statement during his France visit in 2018.
He emphasized that the two countries share views on many important international issues, great interests as well as historical and cultural values.
Vietnam supports France’s initiatives for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the wider world, he stressed.
The Party leader briefed the French President on Vietnam’s Renewal achievements for more than 35 years, the results of post-pandemic economic recovery, its development goals and foreign policy in the 21st century.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, friendship and cooperation as well as complying with the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter in handling international issues, including ensuring peace and security in the East Sea.
He highly appreciated France’s active role in strengthening the European Union and addressing challenges to Europe and other regions of the world. He also thanked France for increasing cooperation and providing support for Vietnam over the past years, including combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Party General Secretary discussed with the French President a number of major directions and measures to expand and improve the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries.
President Macron for his part spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and position globally and affirmed that France wants to bolster the strategic partnership with the Southeast Asian nation. He also assured that France would work alongside Vietnam to realise its strategic development goals.
He suggested that the two countries continue to strengthen political trust and people-to-people exchanges, and promote cooperation in the fields of defense-security, aviation, energy conversion, science - technology, and culture, among others.
Macron voiced France’s support for Vietnam to strengthen cooperation with the European Union (EU), including the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), as well as cooperation on fishing
He expressed hope that the two countries would strengthen cooperation in multilateral frameworks, especially within the Francophone Community.
The two leaders agreed to direct relevant agencies to implement the contents agreed upon by both sides.
On this occasion, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated the invitation to the French President to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was happily accepted.
