France will become the first country in the EU to have a new, comprehensive relationship with Vietnam.

Through the decision to upgrade Vietnam-France relations to a new level, France will become the first country in the European Union to have a new, comprehensive relationship with Vietnam.

General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

According to VNA Special Correspondent, on the afternoon of October 7 (local time), at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron met with the press before the talks.

President Emmanuel Macron thanked Vietnam for inviting him to attend the 70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory, and French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu also attended the event.

Mr. Macron expressed his pleasure at welcoming General Secretary and President To Lam; thanked General Secretary and President To Lam for accepting the invitation and attending the Francophone Summit and paying an official visit to the French Republic; and thanked General Secretary and President To Lam and the Vietnamese people for the friendship they have shown to France.

President Macron affirmed that France wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, especially promoting cooperation between businesses.

The French Government is ready to create favorable conditions to welcome Vietnamese enterprises to invest in France and help Vietnam effectively implement its projects.

In addition to economic cooperation, looking towards the future, France attaches great importance to cooperation in education, health care and research on teaching and training as well as cooperation related to conservation, development and enhancement of works and cultural values.

President Macron affirmed that the French Government is always ready to join Vietnam in supporting cultural development movements, as well as cultural exchanges; welcomes Vietnam's commitments on energy; and appreciates Vietnam's efforts in implementing policies on climate change adaptation.

Assessing that the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam will contribute to promoting relations between France and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Macron also said that ASEAN has an important position related to stability and peace in the region, and France especially values relations with the ASEAN region.

Speaking at the press conference, General Secretary and President To Lam respectfully thanked the President, senior leaders and French friends for the warm welcome given to the Vietnamese delegation.

General Secretary and President To Lam shared his first visit to beautiful France as General Secretary and President of Vietnam. This is also the first visit by a top Vietnamese leader to France in 22 years.

On this occasion, General Secretary and President To Lam congratulated France on successfully organizing major international events, the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 19th Francophone Summit.

As an active and responsible member, Vietnam shares and supports the contents of the Conference's Joint Statement with the values of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that after more than half a century of officially establishing diplomatic relations and a decade of establishing the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam-France relations have made important developments in all fields.

France has always held an important position in Vietnam's foreign policy, with a role and position in the Francophone community and in the world.

Given the extensive development of Vietnam-France relations, as well as to adapt to the current new international and regional context, more than ever, Vietnam-France relations need to be upgraded to a new level. Through this decision, France will become the first country in the European Union to have a new, comprehensive relationship with Vietnam.

Recalling the French proverb “When we want, we can, and when we can, we must do,” with the will and determination to bring the relationship between the two countries deeper and more practical, General Secretary and President To Lam hopes that in the upcoming talks with the President, the two sides will discuss specific orientations and strategic solutions in five areas to upgrade the Vietnam-France relationship to a new level.

One is, deepening political cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral levels in the face of international challenges. Vietnam is ready to closely coordinate with France to build a new era for bilateral relations, increase exchanges and contacts at all levels, through Party, Government and National Assembly channels, and continuously improve the effectiveness and expand bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnam is concerned about the risk of widespread conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, complicated developments in the East Sea... and is ready to join France in contributing responsibly to the common effort to seek peaceful solutions to the above issues, for cooperation and development in each region and in the world.

Second, increase political trust between the two countries through enhanced defense and security cooperation.

Third, Strengthening economic partnerships to develop trade and innovation.

Four is, Strengthening cooperation for sustainable and resilient development, aiming for a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection.

Five is, continue to promote people-to-people exchange, the foundation of bilateral relations, contributing to strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

With the strong determination of the leaders and people of the two countries, and the valuable asset of more than 300,000 people of Vietnamese origin and Vietnamese people living in France, General Secretary and President To Lam believes that the Vietnam-France relationship will develop further. France will participate more actively and extensively in the "new era, the era of the Vietnamese people's rise."

Immediately after the press conference, General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing ceremony of two cooperation documents between Vietnam and France.

Specifically, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son and French Minister of National Education Anne Genetet signed the "Cooperation Agreement on Education between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of France."

Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of VietjetAir Aviation Joint Stock Company Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, General Director Dinh Viet Phuong, General Director of Safran Group Oliver Andriès, and General Director of CFM International Gael Méheust signed the "Contract for the supply of engines and engine maintenance services for 200 narrow-body aircraft"./.

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