New momentum for sci-tech cooperation with France, Cuba

Hanoi (VNA) – The recent visits to France and Cuba by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong created new momentum to promote cooperation in science and technology.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, who accompanied the Party chief during the trips, made the statement in an interview with reporters from Vietnam News Agency.

He said Vietnam and France signed 12 agreements, including in research, training and technological transfer in outer space cooperation. 

The ministerial level talks between Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and France’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation was an important activity during the Party chief’s visit to France from March 25-27 as the two countries are promoting science and technology for economic development.

The two sides agreed to focus on developing intellectual property and digital transfer in the context of the fourth Industrial Revolution and work toward a new cooperation framework on science and technology.

Meanwhile, during the Party leader’s State visit to Cuba from March 28-30, the two countries signed a new cooperation deal in science and technology to promote bilateral cooperation in this field, along with an action plan for 2018, 2019, 2020 and the following years to exchange institutions and policies.

Minister Anh emphasised Vietnam’s strength and experience in agriculture technology, construction material, atomic energy application in medicine and building hi-tech zones, and Cuba’s strength in biotechnology in medicine, pharmacy and related fields.

He expressed his belief that deeper cooperation in science and technology between Vietnam and Cuba will make significant contributions to the bilateral traditional friendship.-VNA