Politics & Law
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| Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (third from left) introduces the President Hồ Chí Minh relic site within the Presidential Palace to his French counterpart, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, during the latter’s official visit to Việt Nam on November 2 in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất |
Viet Nam News
HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his French counterpart Édouard Philippe affirmed their determination to deepen the Việt Nam-France strategic partnership for shared benefit during their talks in Hà Nội on November 2 as part of the French PM’s ongoing visit to Việt Nam.
PM Phúc lauded the tour to Việt Nam by PM Édouard Philippe, saying it is the second high-level visit between the two countries in 2018 after the visit to France by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng back in March.
The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high level, while promoting the role of co-ordination and direction mechanisms for bilateral co-operation, and forging stronger partnerships in politics, economy, defence, science-technology, culture, and education-training.
The two leaders underscored that economic collaboration continues to be a priority in bilateral ties, stressing the need to speed up major joint projects and foster the relationship between Việt Nam and the European Union.
PM Édouard Philippe stated that France supports the early signing and ratification of a free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the EU, underlining France’s commitment to maintaining development co-operation with Việt Nam in the future.
Both sides concurred to promote collaboration in building e-government and modernising State administrative governance, which is a new and promising cooperation area.
They will encourage and create favourable conditions for businesses of both sides to enhance their economic and investment partnership in areas of France’s strength and Việt Nam’s demand such as infrastructure, energy, aviation-aerospace, health care, science-technology, communications, climate change response, and smart cities.
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| Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (left) held talks with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe during the latter’s official visit to Việt Nam on November 2 in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất |
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| Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (left) and French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe review the guard of honour in Hà Nội during the welcome reception on November 2. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất |
They highlighted the significance of co-operation in education and training, including the development of the University of Science and Technology of Hà Nội to an international-standard facility.
The two sides agreed to expand ties in culture, stressing the determination to turn cultural institutions of each country into centres for cultural cooperation and exchange, including the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France and the French Institute in Việt Nam.
They shared the hope to strengthen partnership in security and defence as well as increase visits of French military ships to Việt Nam, and support Vietnam in joining UN peacekeeping operations.
The two PMs agreed to enhance coordination in ensuring the success of the 11th conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities scheduled for early April 2019 in Toulouse, France.
They pledged to work closely at multilateral forums, especially the UN and the Francophonie, while supporting each other in developing relations between France and Asia Pacific countries as well as between Việt Nam and EU members.
The two sides will also promote collaboration in coping with global challenges, especially climate change.
Both Vietnamese and French PMs stressed the significance of ensuring peace, stability and strengthening regional and international co-operation. They affirmed their commitments to maintaining navigation and aviation freedom, and solving disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.
The French PM expressed his hope to enhance the role of France in the Asia-Pacific region.
The same day, PM Phúc and PM Edouard Philippe witnessed the signing of a number of co-operation agreements between the two countries in various areas, including training, e-government development, healthcare, climate change response, environmental protection, urban management, energy and aviation – including a $6.5 billion deal to purchase 50 Airbus aircrafts by the private budget carrier Vietjet Air. — VNS
