President Trần Đại Quang meets with French defence ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian yesterday. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang yesterday had separate meetings with French and Indian defence ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian and Manohar Parrika who are on official visits to Việt Nam.

Receiving French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the leader stressed that Việt Nam considers France a leading partner in its foreign policy.

However, he said, co-operation outcomes between the two countries, especially in economy, trade and investment, have yet to match expectations.

The President called on the French Government to soon enact the Việt Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement, facilitating economic, trade and investment links between the two countries.

Speaking of the two countries’ defence co-operation, the President suggested the two defence ministries enhance collaboration, particularly in military activities, producing equipment for military and civilian purposes, information exchanges and at multilateral forums.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, in reply, said his own visit aims to strengthen bilateral affiliation in national defence and security as well as the strategic partnership established in 2013, and prepare for President Francois Hollande’s visit to Việt Nam in this September.

Informing his host about his talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch, the French guest said both sides looked into several agreements between the two defence ministries to be inked during President Francois Hollande’s upcoming Việt Nam visit, in a bid to advance defence ties.

He also affirmed France’s stance of handling maritime disputes peacefully through dialogues between concerned parties and in line with international law.

President Trần Đại Quang receives Indian defence ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian yesterday. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

At his meeting with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrika, President Quang said the Vietnamese Party, State and people appreciate India’s support in national defence, including personnel training and the transfer of technologies and military equipment.

The leader noted the consensus on orientations to forge bilateral defence co-operation, an important pillar of the Việt Nam-India strategic partnership.

The Party and State of Việt Nam regard India as a friend and a leading partner, and treasures its relationship with the country, he said.

President Trần Đại Quang asked the minister to convey his invitation to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to pay an official visit to Việt Nam.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, in a meeting with Minister Parrika yesterday, urged the Vietnamese and Indian defence ministries step up co-operation in traditional areas while expanding affiliation in new spheres, especially training young officers.

Phúc hailed the bilateral defence ties, which have been evidenced through regular exchanges of all-level delegations, and by their partnerships in the national defence industry and personnel training.

The PM lauded Manohar Parrika’s speech delivered at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and affirmed the Vietnamese Government’s backing of Indian’s Look East policy.

He highlighted the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and India which has thrived across many fields.

Việt Nam and India share similarities in culture and history, he said, adding that the two countries also hold potential for co-operation in politics, economy, culture and national defence.

The PM asked the minister to convey his invitation to Indian PM Narendra Modi to pay an official visit to Việt Nam.

The Indian minister said that his Government treasures and wishes to boost co-operation with Việt Nam.

The guest displayed his belief that friendship and collaboration between the two countries and the defence ties in particular will grow stronger in the time ahead, for peace and prosperity in the region and the world. — VNS