Vietnam, France wish to elevate ties to greater height
Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs
Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Vietnam always treasures relationship with
France, its important
member in the European Union (EU) and strategic partner, with strong
historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
Minister
Son, who is on France visit from June 5-6, made the statement during his talks
with French Minister
of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine
Colonna on June 5.
It has been the
first exchange of delegation at the ministerial level in the past decade, taking
place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic
ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
Expressing
their delight at the sound development of bilateral ties over the past years, they
wished to work closely together to elevate ties to a new height.
The two ministers
agreed to continue facilitating visits and contacts at all levels in the coming
time, especially between senior leaders. They also vowed to maintain cooperation
mechanisms, including resuming the strategic security and defence dialogue
at the deputy ministerial level between the two countries’ foreign and defence ministries, as well as conducting
political consultations at the department head level between the two foreign
ministries.
They were
pleased to note the recovery of two-way trade following the COVID-19 pandemic,
reaching 5.3 billion USD in 2022, an increase of 10% compared to 2021, with
still untapped potential. They promised to continue with the effective
implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Son suggested
the French government back and push forward the French parliament’s early
approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the
European Commission (EC) to lift the yellow card warning against Vietnamese
aquatic products.
The French minister
expressed her appreciation for joint economic projects, especially the Nhon-Hanoi
urban railway project, a symbol of Vietnam-France economic cooperation.
The two sides
also discussed how to boost cooperation in climate change response, renewable
energy, science-technology, education and training, and pledged to jointly hold
activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties this
year.
The
Vietnamese guest suggested France continue offering support to the Vietnamese
community living here, contributing to upholding their role as a bridge
between the two countries.
On regional and global issues of shared concern,
they vowed to work closely together and offer mutual support at multilateral
organisations and forums, especially the United Nations (UN), and advancing the
framework of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership.
Regarding the East Sea issue, they shared views on ensuring peace, stability, security,
cooperation and development in the region, and settling disputes via peaceful
means in line with international law and the UN Charter, and respecting the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On the occasion,
Son invited Minister Colonna to pay an official visit to Vietnam. The latter accepted the invitation with pleasure./.