Joint Statement on Upgrading Relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and China

General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference. Photo: TRI DUNG/VNA

We respectfully introduce the full text of the Vietnam - France Joint Statement:

Based on the achievements of bilateral cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, on the basis of similarities in interests and shared common vision on compliance with the United Nations Charter, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, on the occasion of the official visit to the French Republic by General Secretary and President To Lam from October 6-7, 2024.

Deepening political cooperation to meet international challenges

The two countries pledged to promote bilateral relations on the basis of respect for international law, equality, sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and political institutions of each side.

On the bilateral level, the two sides pledged to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts through all channels between the French government and the Communist Party, Government, National Assembly and local authorities of Vietnam; upgrade, enhance efficiency and expand bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

France and Vietnam stressed the important role of multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre, and reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter, in particular the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for the development of each country. The two sides pledged to strengthen consultation and coordination at regional forums, especially ASEAN, and international forums, including the International Organization of La Francophonie.

France and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the South China Sea as well as their commitment to full respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They strongly rejected any form of threat or use of force contrary to international law and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation, unimpeded overflight and the right of innocent passage in the South China Sea, and supported regional efforts to reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The two sides stressed the importance of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with international law and on the basis of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

The two sides reaffirmed the special importance of respecting the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.

The two sides expressed deep concern over the alarming escalation of the situation in the Middle East, calling on all parties concerned to de-escalate and exercise utmost restraint; condemned all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure; called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution as the only solution to secure a just and lasting peace for Israel and Palestine and to ensure stability in the region. They also called for a ceasefire in Lebanon in order to find a diplomatic solution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Strengthening defense and security cooperation

The two sides are committed to developing relations in the defense sector to enhance self-reliance, in accordance with the needs of each side. To this end, the two sides decided to create new impetus for cooperation in the defense industry through research, proposals and implementation of structural projects.

The two sides wish to increase delegation exchanges, cooperation, consultations as well as training activities, according to cooperation agreements in the defense field, especially in the fields of military medicine, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and search and rescue.

At the same time, the two sides wished to promote cooperation in the field of memory sharing after the visit to Vietnam by the French Minister of the Army on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. Vietnam will facilitate French military ships to dock in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law, in order to develop cooperation and professional exchange between the navies and coast guards of the two countries. The two sides pledged to complete cooperation and training in the field of security, combating illegal immigration and human trafficking.

The two sides pledged to increase information exchange in crime prevention activities. At the same time, the two sides continued to promote cooperation in protecting people and enhancing fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue capabilities.

Strengthening economic partnerships to develop trade and innovation

The two sides reaffirmed their shared determination to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, the pillars of the bilateral relationship. They reiterated the importance of continuing to fully implement the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, including market access and protection of intellectual property rights.

Regarding investment, the two sides continued to promote their projects in each country towards a transparent, stable and predictable business environment. The two sides emphasized the importance of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Vietnam hopes that France will soon ratify the EVIPA.

The two sides look forward to developing and deepening strategic cooperation in the fields of innovation and new technologies, especially through exchanges on public policy and training activities.

Vietnam wishes to promote cooperation with France and French companies in the fields of infrastructure, urban and railway transport, renewable energy, energy transition, non-carbon hydrogen, digital economy, circular economy, logistics and port infrastructure, civil aviation and submarine cables.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in training and research on the application of civil nuclear technology, especially in the energy sector. The two sides pledged to strengthen and expand the scope of cooperation in the satellite sector. At the same time, the two sides wished to expand cooperation to the field of essential minerals.

Strengthening cooperation for sustainable development and self-reliance

In the face of challenges posed by climate change, the two sides reaffirmed their determination to achieve the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection, within the framework of the Paris Consensus for People and the Planet (4P Consensus).

France welcomes Vietnam’s strong commitments towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and towards the phase-out of coal. France will continue to support Vietnam in achieving these targets and in building a low-emissions economy, in particular through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Vietnam acknowledges and supports the CTA - Coal Transition Accelerator - initiative to develop solutions to promote the replacement of energy sources from coal. France will continue to cooperate with Vietnam to respond to the impacts of climate change throughout the country, including the Mekong Delta.

The two sides recognise the essential role of the ocean for the planet and the climate and commit to deepening exchanges on this topic within the framework of the maritime cooperation dialogue, in particular to ensure the success of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice in June 2025. In this spirit, the two sides maintain and promote cooperation in the field of sustainable fisheries, on the basis of existing international and EU regulations.

Continue to promote people-to-people exchanges

People-to-people exchanges are the foundation of bilateral relations. Both sides pledged to promote people-to-people exchanges, facilitate cooperation in the fields of culture, including heritage, sports, exchanges of teachers, students and scientists, as well as teaching Vietnamese and French. People-to-people exchanges contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity between the youth and people of the two countries. This is also an important driving force for economic and social development.

The two sides pledged to continue cooperation in the fields of health, justice, governance and agriculture and were pleased to see that cooperation between localities has been continuously strengthened.

Based on the contents of the Joint Statement, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries are responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to develop an action plan as soon as possible to realize the above-mentioned goals.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/tuyen-bo-chung-ve-viec-nang-cap-quan-he-len-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-giua-viet-nam-phap-3142380.html