Vietnam-France ties built on important accumulation in quantity, quality: Diplomat

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and France have shared a strongly growing relationship on the foundation of long traditional ties and deep connections in history and culture, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has said.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France from November 3-5, Ambassador Thang noted that France was one of the first countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam after the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1973.

He highlighted important milestones in the bilateral relations, and stressed that currently, France is one of the leading partners of Vietnam in Europe as well as in the world.

According to the ambassador, France has attached importance to Vietnam’s position in the region as well as its strategies and policies in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific region. He said the formation of the bilateral strategic partnership in 2013 not only reflected the close ties that have been built and developed in many decades, but also manifested both sides’ wish and determination to further lift up their relationship with a long-term vision and stability.

The coordination between the two sides in international issues and at important multilateral forum has been close, said the diplomat, adding that both sides have regularly exchanged viewpoints on matters related to regional security and shared the views on respect for international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, maritime and aviation freedom, the ensuring of peace, security and the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures.

Ambassador Thang underscored that Vietnam and France boast favourable conditions to further beef up their partnership. Authorised agencies and partners of both sides should seek ways to build on the outcomes of the bilateral partnership and effectively implement orientations defined by leaders of the two countries to deepen the bilateral cooperation.

Thang said that the overall objective of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to France is affirming Vietnam’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, and fostering and deepening the Vietnam-France strategic partnership.

The visit is another step in Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy, he stated, adding that during the visit, Vietnam will mobilise support in equipment, medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention and control and seek cooperation in post-pandemic recovery./.