General Secretary and President To Lam congratulated France on its socio-economic development achievements and highly valued the country’s role and initiatives in addressing global challenges. Briefing the French Prime Minister on Viet Nam’s development vision towards its 2030 and 2045 goals, he affirmed that France is one of Viet Nam’s leading important partners in Europe, and expressed his wish that the two sides maximize their complementary strengths to deepen the new cooperation framework.
    |
 |
|
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam meets with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. |
Prime Minister Lecornu stressed that General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit holds important significance, not only continuing the positive development of the Viet Nam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership but also creating fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
Impressed by Viet Nam’s growing self-reliance and international stature, the French Prime Minister affirmed that France always considers Viet Nam an important partner in its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. France is Viet Nam’s gateway to the European Union (E.U.), while Viet Nam is France’s gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said.
Regarding key orientations, the two leaders agreed to actively exchange all-level delegations, soon establish new cooperation mechanisms commensurate with the level of bilateral ties, and effectively implement the Viet Nam-France Action Plan for 2026-2028. They concurred to continue strengthening cooperation in defense and security, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and in preventing and combating organized transnational crime, among other areas.
The two sides also agreed to continue effectively implementing and capitalizing on the E.U.-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), with a view to further increasing bilateral trade in a balanced direction by further opening their markets to products in which each side has strengths.
General Secretary and President To Lam said there remain considerable untapped potential for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. With strong determination from both sides, there is ample room for further breakthroughs, elevating economic and trade cooperation to a level commensurate with the Viet Nam-France comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.
PM Lecornu said during General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit, many documents, agreements and projects have been negotiated and expected to be signed on this occasion, reflecting the sound relations between the two countries. He added that the French Government, ministries and sectors wish to engage in specific exchanges with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Highlighting the huge room for further cooperation, the two sides agreed to focus resources on promoting key and iconic projects in areas where France has strengths and Viet Nam has strategic demands, such as aerospace, strategic transport infrastructure, clean energy and critical minerals.
The leaders agreed to further deepen traditional cooperation in culture, education and training, healthcare and local-to-local ties, while further promoting the new cooperation pillars in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
The French side highly valued the development of Viet Nam’s industrial sector, which now accounts for 37% of GDP, and expressed its desire to participate in projects in Viet Nam, including those in energy, strategic infrastructure and minerals. The European nation also wishes to support Viet Nam in developing the international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
General Secretary and President To Lam welcomed France’s goodwill in financial cooperation, railway development, and science and technology.
Regarding aerospace cooperation, the leader welcomed the French President’s initiative to organize the International Space Summit, noting that the two countries have enjoyed fruitful cooperation in satellite exploitation and operation, which should be further promoted.
General Secretary and President To Lam took the occasion to call on France to voice its support for the E.C.’s removal of its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood exports for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Showing his support for the Vietnamese leader’s proposals regarding cooperation with the E.U., the French PM affirmed that France would speak up in support of Viet Nam’s efforts to have the IUU “yellow card” lifted and to be removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
Regarding international issues, the two sides shared a common vision of upholding multilateralism and settling conflicts by peaceful measures on the basis of the U.N. Charter and international law; and respecting and resolving disputes in the East Sea (aka South China Sea) through peaceful measures in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two sides pledged to continue closely coordinating and supporting each other at the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and within the ASEAN-E.U. framework.
General Secretary and President To Lam called on the French government to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in France to settle their lives, integrate into society, and further serve as a strong bridge of friendship between the two countries.
Source: VNA