Vietnamese, French leaders hold joint press conference following talks

Hanoi (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint press conference on May 26 to announce the outcomes of their talks, which took place earlier the same day as part of the latter’s ongoing visit to Vietnam.

At the conference, President Cuong said that the visit demonstrates the strong desire and determination of both nations to bring the Vietnam – France relations to a new high, describing his talks with the French leader as highly successful, conducted in the atmosphere of openness, sincerity, and mutual trust.

The leaders agreed on various orientations and measures to deepen the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries while exchanging notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They emphasised their growing strategic trust consolidated through the exchange of high-level delegations, particularly following the upgrade of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Besides, they committed to enhancing people-to-people exchange, bolstering cooperation between localities, and working towards organising the 13th Vietnam–France Decentralised Cooperation Conference in France.

According to President Cuong, amidst complicated global economic fluctuations, the two sides concurred that economic, trade, and development cooperation pillars continue to be important drivers the bilateral ties. They committed to close coordination to maintain and consolidate free trade, open markets for each other, and bring into full play the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnam requested France to urge the European Commission to remove the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, expedite the ratification of the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, and encourage French corporations and businesses to expand investment and joint ventures in strategic industries with high spillover effects like automobile and logistics.

President Cuong stressed that both sides agreed to promote cooperation in defence – security based on the signed agreement, strengthen information exchange on strategic issues, and study expanding collaboration in defence industry, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism efforts. Both sides recognised significant potential for development in traditional cooperation areas like science – technology, health care, and education – training within the new relationship framework. They agreed to bolster cooperation in areas where France has strengths like aerospace, nuclear energy, AI, digital transformation, and pharmaceuticals while promoting technology transfer and mastery.

Vietnam asked for France’s continued support in high-quality human resources training, French language teaching in Vietnam, and expansion of scholarship programmes for Vietnamese students. President Cuong also suggested the French Government to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stabilise their lives, better integration, and contribute more to the socio-economic development in the host nation.

Both leaders emphasised the essential role of multilateralism and affirmed their shared commitment to promoting international peace and stability. They agreed to coordinate closely and support each other at international and regional forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN-EU, and the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Vietnam and France stand ready to support the enhancement of the ties between Vietnam and the EU as well as between ASEAN and France.

Stressing that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the comprehensive legal framework for all maritime activities and cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East. They supported resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international law and back efforts to achieve an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the waters that complies with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.

He expressed his belief that President Macron’s state visit will be a motive to promote the Vietnam – France to a new high, bringing practical benefits to the people of both nations while contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

For his part, President Macron expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese State and people for the warm reception during his state visit, which marks the first stop in his Southeast Asian tour. He underscored France's desire to become a leading partner in supporting Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed nation by mid-century.

He spoke highly of the relations between the two countries, wishing that they will work together to handle challenges and develop their partnership to build a prosperous future.

Referring to France's efforts to promote ocean conservation and sustainable use of marine resources through the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in June, Macron expressed his hope for Vietnam's active participation in agreements on marine biodiversity conservation.

The French President revealed that both sides signed a series of cooperation documents in various fields including space cooperation, satellite system construction, mining, high-speed rail development, energy, nuclear power, aviation, health care, transportation, and logistics.

Highlighting both nations’ commitment to promoting cooperation in culture and education-training, the French leader said they are the traditional areas of cooperation and viewed them as the bridge to connect the people of both sides.

After deciding to upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership late last year, making France the first EU country to have such a relationship with Vietnam, a new page of history has truly been written by the two nations across all sectors, he stated, adding the elevation of the bilateral ties provides opportunities for deeper cooperation between France and Vietnam, and between ASEAN and the EU. He expressed his desire to actively develop these cooperation areas with a shared vision of international order./.