Viet Nam expects to further strengthen the traditional, trusted and strategic partnership with France, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. 

PM Pham made the above statement during his phone conversation
with French counterpart Jean Castex on Monday.

He suggested the French Government continue assistance to and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese people living and working in France, especially in the current pandemic context.

Meanwhile, Castex spoke highly of Viet Nam’s role and position in the region and the wold, as well as its achievements in the COVID-19 pandemic containment and economic recovery.

The two PMs agreed to continue sharing experience in COVID-19 fight, coordinate in post-pandemic economic recovery, actively work together in order to effectively realize the EU-Viet Nam free trade agreement (EVFTA), speed up ratification of the EU-Viet Nam investment protection agreement (EVIPA), and facilitate export of Vietnamese farm produce, including lychee, mango, dragon and passion fruits to France.

Both sides agreed would step up joint efforts so that the “yellow card” imposed by the European Commission on Vietnamese fisheries could be removed soon, thus contributing to the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s fisheries sector.

The pair agreed to task their competent authorities to seek ways to beef up cooperation in aerospace, energy, defense and security, sustainable urban and infrastructure development, and culture.

The PMs welcomed the two countries’ effective collaboration at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, the Francophonie, ASEM, and ASEAN-France among others over the past time, pledging to continue promoting coordination over regional and international issues in the future.

With regard to the East Sea issues, the two PMs underlined the significance of maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation, security and peace in the East Sea, and the role of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.