HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam had always considered France a leading partner in Europe and the world, Party General Secretary and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng told French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe yesterday.

During a reception in Hà Nội for the French PM, Trọng expressed his pleasure at the positive development of bilateral relations between Việt Nam and France in recent years, while applauding the two sides’ efforts to promote and maintain their strategic partnership through various mechanisms and co-operation forms. 

The host hoped the two sides would actively co-ordinate to realise recently signed agreements, make joint efforts to maintain the positive momentum of bilateral relations, and closely co-ordinate at multilateral forums, thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

He said that political trust and comprehensive co-operation across various fields between the two countries were not only based on objective needs, but also in accordance with the basic interests of the two countries.

The Vietnamese Party and State leader suggested the two sides facilitate the development of their communities in each country, adding that this would be an important bridge towards bringing bilateral relations closer.

For his part, Philippe expressed his pleasure at meeting the Vietnamese leader, while congratulating Trọng on his election as State President.

PM Philippe said he was glad to be able to visit Việt Nam – an important partner to his country in Asia – especially as the year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and five years since they signed the strategic partnership.

The French PM expressed his impressions of Việt Nam’s vigorous and vital development, highlighting the fruitful expansion of their bilateral relations in recent years. He said he hoped the two sides would further promote their co-operation in an effective manner across all fields, especially in the context of complicated global issues. — VNS