Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Quốc Vượng (left) meets the First Vice President of the French Senate Phillipe Dallier. — VNA/VNS Photo Toàn Trí

PARIS — Việt Nam always attaches importance to its relations with France, its leading partner in Europe and the world, according to Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Quốc Vượng.

During meetings with leaders of French Senate and National Assembly, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and leaders of several parties in France while leading a high-ranking delegation from the CPV to visit France from October 25-29, Vượng stressed that France has been a priority in Việt Nam’s foreign policy. He expressed his hope that both sides will continue their dialogue mechanisms as well as carry out signed agreements in an effective manner.

He took the occasion to thank France for supporting Việt Nam’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-21 tenure, and contributing to the signing of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA).

Vượng recommended both countries boost cooperation in the framework of ASEAN and UN mechanisms, and asked France, with its increasing role in Europe, to further its work so that the European Parliament will ratify the EVFTA and EVIPA soon.

He and French officials also discussed measures to maintain regional and global peace and stability.

A representative from the French Parliament hailed the visit and pledged to deepen the Việt Nam-France strategic partnership in various sectors, adding that Việt Nam has played an important role in France’s strategy to promote ties with ASEAN and Asia.

The French side suggested enhancing coordination to implement key projects between the two countries, wishing to boost economic and trade collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation.

The official affirmed to work to urge the European Parliament and the French National Assembly to approve the EVFTA and EVIPA, and voiced support to solving all disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means based on respect of international regulations, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

Working with the French Communist Party and French Social Party, Vượng reiterated the CPV’s traditional friendship with the two parties, and discussed measures to develop the cooperative ties in a more effective and practical fashion.

Highlighting the CPV’s policy to enhance ties with ruling parties which have important roles in foreign countries, Vượng said the CPV and the French parties should enhance exchanges to better mutual understanding and outline specific measures to boost cooperation.

He also had a meeting with the Vietnamese intellectuals in the host country, during which he laid stress on the Party and State’s policies to branch out science-technology, and encouraged the Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals to make further contributions to realising the Politburo’s Resolution No.52-NQ/TW on promoting active participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. — VNS