France becomes Vietnam's 8th comprehensive strategic partner

General Secretary and President To Lam shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference before the talks on October 7 – Photo: NGUYEN HONG

On October 7, at an important meeting at the Élysée Palace (France), General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron decided to announce the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam's 8th comprehensive strategic partner

With this decision, France is the 8th country in the world to have such a level of relationship with Vietnam. Previously, Vietnam established comprehensive strategic partnerships with China, Russia, India, South Korea, the US, Japan and Australia.

Through this decision, France will become the first country in the European Union to have a new, comprehensive relationship with Vietnam. Thus, up to now, Vietnam has had a comprehensive strategic partnership with 4 out of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council: China, Russia, the US and France.

Previously, at a press conference with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on October 7, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that after more than half a century of officially establishing diplomatic relations and a decade of establishing a 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.

According to the head of the Party and State, 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.

Talks between the two top leaders of Vietnam and France – Photo: VNA

Bringing Vietnam - France relations deeper and deeper

According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the talks immediately afterwards, General Secretary and President To Lam and President Emmanuel Macron had a comprehensive discussion on the socio-economic situation of each country, bilateral cooperation relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two sides agreed to upgrade and increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones, through Party, State, Government and National Assembly channels.

In particular, the two leaders agreed to declare the upgrading of Vietnam-France relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed on major directions and measures to deepen the relationship in a more practical and appropriate manner, in line with the framework of cooperation between the two countries in the new context.

The two sides assessed security and defense cooperation as one of the important pillars; agreed to effectively implement signed cooperation agreements, as well as soon organize a Security and Defense Strategic Dialogue.

The two countries will coordinate and support each other in officer training, share experiences in crime prevention and combat, and support each other at regional and international security forums.

Vietnamese and French leaders witnessed the signing ceremony between Vietjet and two French corporations for a contract to supply engines and engine maintenance services for 200 narrow-body aircraft – Photo: VNA

In terms of economy and trade, the two sides agreed to continue promoting preferential loans and ODA loans for Vietnam, while encouraging agencies and businesses of the two countries to continue to fully and effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

General Secretary and President To Lam asked France to soon complete the ratification process of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that the EVFTA is an important driving force to promote economic and trade relations between the two sides, and said that he will soon propose that the National Assembly approve the EVIPA.

Strengthening cooperation in new areas

Nhon – Hanoi train on trial run – Photo: VNA

The French President also appreciated Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and green transition. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in potential areas where France has strengths such as infrastructure, aerospace, science and technology, renewable energy, hydrogen energy, etc.

Recognizing the positive results of cooperation in the fields of science and technology, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in new fields such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, and airport traffic infrastructure.

In the fields of health and education, the two sides agreed to promote the training of high-quality human resources, continue to create conditions for Vietnamese students to study in France with more scholarships, and encourage people of both countries to participate in major cultural events of each country.

Regarding agricultural cooperation, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of ecological agriculture, circular agriculture, and tripartite cooperation between Vietnam, France and southern countries to ensure global food security.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Vietnam’s efforts in responding to climate change. For his part, General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated France’s pioneering and leading role in the fight against climate change.

The Vietnamese leader also hopes that the two sides will continue to cooperate in developing ecosystem-based models, enhancing the resilience to climate change of urban areas and coastal areas, especially the Mekong Delta, on the basis of ensuring harmony of interests.

On this occasion, General Secretary and President To Lam invited French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Vietnam soon. The French leader happily accepted the invitation and will visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Signing many cooperation documents between Vietnam and France

General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of cooperation documents in the field of education on October 7 – Photo: NGUYEN HONG

General Secretary and President To Lam arrived in France on October 3 (local time) to attend the 19th Francophone Summit on October 4 and 5. The Vietnamese leader then began activities within the framework of an official visit to France from October 6, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

At the talks on October 7, French President Emmanuel Macron highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in France, considering it an important bridge between the two countries. He affirmed that he will continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work in France.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides pledged to continue supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organizations such as ASEM, the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, Francophonie, and the United Nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that France highly appreciates Vietnam's stance on ending violence, de-escalating tensions, and calling on parties to resolve conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, etc. by peaceful means, respecting international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

During the visit, many documents and cooperation agreements in the fields of diplomacy, culture, education, transportation, internal affairs, etc. were signed by ministries, branches and localities of the two countries.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phap-tro-thanh-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-thu-8-cua-viet-nam-20241008003859127.htm#content-1