Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and hisFrench counterpart, Jean Castex, have affirmed their determination to furtherdeepen the Vietnam-France strategic partnership signed in 2013.

According to a Vietnam – France joint statement issued on the occasion ofthe Vietnamese PM’s official visit to France from November 3-5, during theirtalks, both leaders welcomed the long-standing and sustainable ties between thetwo countries.

Towards the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023, theyagreed to enhance high-level conversations and meetings, and make efforts inthe new period in various areas, including satellite and hi-tech projects ofstrategic significance to lift their relationship.

The Vietnamese side spoke highly of France and the European Union’s role inthe Indo-Pacific, as well as their strategies that affirm their attention tothe region.

Vietnam and France shared similar stances on major issues in the region andthe world, including security, health care and sustainable development. InFrance and Europe’s strategies on the Indo-Pacific, Vietnam and other ASEANmember states play a crucial role.

The two leaders adopted a statement with seven points that aimed to furtherdeepen the bilateral strategic partnership and confront with global challenges.

They affirmed solidarity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,highlighting that Vietnam donated a large number of masks to France in 2020 andFrance granted 2 million vaccine doses to Vietnam this year.

Reaffirming their wish to bolster cooperation amid common challenges, theyunderscored the important role of multilateralism in which the United Nationsplays a central role. They also reaffirmed their adherence to the UN Charter,especially the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and basicrights to the development of each nation.

On the occasion of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties(COP26), the two sides affirmed the desire to enhance cooperation anddetermination to promote sustainable growth in the spirit of the 2030 UN Agendaon Sustainable Development.

France pledged to continue assisting Vietnam in achieving growth with lowcarbon emissions by improving the Southeast Asian country's adaptability toclimate change.

As the two nations are celebrating the 30th anniversary of bilateral defenceties, the two sides reaffirmed the resolve to create a new driving force forthe relationship by carrying out several projects to increase mutual trust.They welcomed exchanges within the framework of Vietnam-France strategicdialogue and defence cooperation.

They advocated continuing with the training of officers in France in Frenchlanguage, with the aim of deploying them to UN peacekeeping missions inFrench-speaking areas.

Vietnam and France will strive to deploy partnerships between the EU andVietnam, and between the EU and ASEAN, within the framework of the EU’sIndo-Pacific strategy and France’s tenure as President of the EU in the firsthalf of 2022.

They reaffirmed full respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as peaceful settlement of disputes, refrainingfrom acts that use or threat to use force. They affirmed the importance of maintainingsafety and freedom of navigation and aviation in all seas and oceans,especially in the East Sea, on the basis of abiding by principles ofinternational law.

The two sides welcomed ASEAN’s central role in supporting dialogue,cooperation and international law. They expressed support for ASEAN and China’sefforts to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reach an effective and practical Codeof Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in line with international law, particularlythe 1982 UNCLOS. 

France commended Vietnam for successfully assuming its role as non-permanentmember of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and congratulatedclose coordination between the two nations during the tenure.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they reiterated their determination to boosteconomic, trade and investment ties to support economic recovery. In suchspirit, they will hold a high-level economic dialogue in January 2022 ifconditions allow.

They emphasised the importance of full and rapid implementation of theEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) that took effect in August 2020.

On urban transport, they spotlighted the significance of Hanoi's metro lineNo.3 project using France’s loan worth over 500 million EUR. They promised toput the metro's elevated section into operation between now and late 2022.

In space field, Vietnam and France want to continue partnering together insatellite and use of satellite images in agriculture, hydrometeorology, climatechange response and disaster risk prevention.

The two nations consider locality-to-locality cooperation as a pillar inbilateral ties. The next meeting on cooperation between Vietnamese and Frenchlocalities in Hanoi in late 2022 will mark a new milestone in signing newpartnership agreements./.