Vietnam, France seek to step up defence partnership
Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh met with senior officers from the French Ministry of Defence to discuss a wide range of measures to boost defence cooperation between Vietnam and France.
Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) - Deputy Defence MinisterSenior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh met with senior officers from theFrench Ministry of Defence to discuss a wide range of measures to boost defencecooperation between Vietnam and France.
The meetings took place on the occasion of theofficial visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of VietnamCentral Committee Nguyen Phu Trong from March 26-28.
At a meeting with French Defence MinisterFlorence Parly on March 27, Vinh said Vietnam’s Ministry of Defence wants toexpand cooperation with the French counterpart for the benefits of the twoarmies and people and the bilateral strategic partnership.
Vietnam hopes that France with its significantrole and position in the European Union (EU) will make active contributions tothe maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development, ensuringnavigation and aviation safety and freedom in the region and the world, basedon respecting law.
Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for Franceto enhance cooperation with member countries in the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), he said.
He described defence as a key pillar in thebilateral strategic partnership and urged the two countries’ armies to elevatethe cooperation in this field to a new height, especially in celebration of the45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties and the fifthanniversary of strategic partnership.
The Deputy Defence Minister proposed specificmeasures such as inc♚reasing all-level delegation 🃏exchanges, sharing defencestrategic issues, and promoting cooperation in training, defence industry,military trade, medical military, peacekeeping activities, and post-warconsequences settlement, among others.
Agreeingwith the Vietnamese leader’s opinions, Minister of Defence Florence Parlyshowed her belief in outcomes of bilateral cooperation in the coming time.France will invite the Minister of Defence of Vietnam to pay an official visitto France this year, during with the two countries are expected to signcooperative documents that hold important significance to the promotion ofbilateral cooperation. Earlier,Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh had a working session with Phillippe Errera, Director General for InternationalCooperation and Strategy of the Ministry of Defence.
At the meeting, both sides discussed regional and international situations ofshared concern and agreed that current issues should be deal with by peacefulmeasures and strict compliance with international law.
The two sides agreed on key orientations to ratchet up bilateral defence ties,mutual support at multilateral forums, participation in UN peacekeeping force,and the possibility of France’s participation in ADMM , and more.
On the occasion, the two ministries signed a letter of intent on the signing ofa joint statement on a joint v🌄ision on defence cooperation for 2018-2020 and anagreement amending the cooperation agreement on hydrography, oceanography and maritimemaps.-VNA
The Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong had a meeting in Paris on March 26 with the French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, as part of his current official visit to the European country.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and French National Assembly (NA) President Francois de Rugy attended a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and France at the NA’s headquarters in Paris on March 26 afternoon (local time).
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong asked VN and France to bring economic cooperation on par with their political ties while meeting President of France’s National Assembly Francois de Rugy.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted the bright prospects for Vietnam-France relations in his recent article published by Le Monde newspaper.
Vietnam hopes French enterprises will do successful business in the Southeast Asian country in the long run, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong said at a meeting with representatives from the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) in Paris on March 27.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (Photo: VNA) 
