Speaking to Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Paris during the official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam, Criaud expressed his honor at serving as chairman of the France-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentary Group at the French National Assembly and highlighted the close ties between the two countries.
He said the relationship was rooted in history but, more importantly, had been strengthened through sincere dialogue, mutual respect and forward-looking cooperation. The two countries have built solid ties in areas including economy, higher education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
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Michel Criaud, a member of the French National Assembly’s Defense Committee |
Looking ahead following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Criaud said both countries understood the value of peace, providing a basis for further dialogue and cooperation in defense, security, as well as economic and financial affairs.
In defense and security, he highlighted potential cooperation in enhancing defense capabilities, ensuring freedom of navigation, cybersecurity and protecting undersea infrastructure, particularly submarine cables. With a coastline of about 3,200km, Viet Nam has significant demand for ensuring maritime security, he noted.
Geopolitical developments, together with rapid advances in technology and defense equipment, have further underscored the need for closer cooperation, he said, affirming that Viet Nam is a trusted partner of France.
Following a recent visit to Viet Nam and meetings with Vietnamese agencies, he said he had seen a shared desire to deepen bilateral cooperation. France aims to double its exports to Viet Nam over the next 10 years. He also praised Viet Nam’s rapid transition towards electricity use and efforts to gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
Criaud also stressed the important role of people-to-people ties in fostering trust-based relations and said the two sides should continue strengthening these connections.
Defense industry, particularly in the maritime sector, is another area with considerable potential, he said. Maritime transport plays a vital role in the movement of goods, making security in Viet Nam’s eastern waters important, he noted.
France has expertise in seabed-related activities, including ensuring the safety of submarine cable systems. This is an area where the two sides could explore greater cooperation, he stated.
Beyond defense and security, he pointed to other promising fields such as renewable energy, nuclear power, climate change response, Francophone cooperation, the marine economy and offshore wind power.
He particularly identified the marine and underwater economies as drivers of growth. In the fisheries sector, the two countries could strengthen cooperation in industry organization, train fishermen in appropriate fishing methods, improve the management of fishing grounds, and enhance expertise in maritime law and the capacity of coast guard forces.
He also touched on the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, saying France could share its experience and provide training in fishing-ground management, improve understanding of maritime law, and strengthen coast guard capacity.
For undersea infrastructure, Criaud suggested that Viet Nam study France’s experience, including Alcatel’s use of specialized vessels to install submarine cables, and explore cooperation in specialized equipment, cable-laying vessels and submarine cable systems.
On the E.U.-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), he stressed its importance in strengthening investment protection and providing investors with the necessary safeguards.
The French National Assembly is expected to consider EVIPA in the coming period, he said, noting that several E.U. member states, including Lithuania, Romania and Sweden, have already ratified the agreement.
The EVIPA ratification would help strengthen investment protection and create more favorable conditions for investment and economic cooperation between Viet Nam, France and the wider E.U., he concluded.
Source: VNA