The Vietnam – France Joint Statement stated that the two sides welcomed the development of their bilateral relations over the past 45 years and wished to further develop and deepen the strategic partnership in all fields. They reiterated their determination to enhance their cooperation in politics, diplomacy, defence, security, economy, trade, investment, adaptation to climate change, sustainable development, science-technology, education-training, Francophone issues, law and judiciary, health care, locality cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, culture and tourism.
Taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (1973-2018) and five years of the strategic partnership (2013-2018), the Vietnamese Party leader’s official visit was a special event that had an important historical significance for both Vietnam and France. The two leaders’ agreement of developing the strategic partnership showed a deep strategic vision, meeting the interests and aspirations of the two peoples in the new era.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong conducted effective activities during his stay in France, particularly the talks and meetings with the senior French leaders: President Emmanuel Macron, PM Édouard Phillipe, National Assembly (NA) President Francois de Rugy, President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher; as well as hosting receptions for the leaders of French political parties, attending a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic ties and meetings with the representatives of leading French enterprises, the France-Vietnam Friendship Association and several French friends who supported Vietnam during negotiations on the Paris Agreement.
The talks, meetings and receptions took place in a friendly and sincere atmosphere and mutual trust, with plentiful contents on their bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues of mutual concern. The French leaders and people gave a sincere and warn welcome to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.
The General Secretary and French leaders expressed their pleasure at the fine development of the two countries’ relations with their comprehensive, abundant and effective cooperation. The two sides affirmed their aspirations to deepen the strategic partnership in the new era, as well as agreeing to strengthen the exchanges and meetings, especially at a high level, improve the efficiency of dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in all fields, particularly in economics, and promote close coordination in regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides also emphasised that economics has always played a crucial role in the overall relationship between the two countries, showing their determination to further develop their economic, trade and investment cooperation. The French leaders expressed their delight at the signing of many cooperation documents during the visit. They also pledged that the French Government would accelerate the effective implementation of the joint projects and agreements, as well as encouraging localities and enterprises to expand their mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam. For his part, the senior Vietnamese leader said that Vietnam will create favourable condition for French businesses to invest in the country and is willing to serve as a bridge for them to access the ASEAN market and the member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The two sides expressed their wish for the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in 2018, creating a new driving force for the economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam, France and the EU. General Secretary Trong suggested that the French Government strenghens their support and cooperation in training, as well as creating favourable condition for the Overseas Vietnamese in the country.
Leaders of the two countries applauded ASEAN’s role in peacefully promoting international maritime cooperation, while stressing the importance of respecting the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and resolving disputes by peaceful measures. They also noted the importance of maintaining security and aviation and navigation freedom in all waters and oceans, as well as supporting the efforts of ASEAN and China in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promptly completing a practical and international law-complied Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
At the ceremony to mark 45th anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic ties, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said the history has connected the two nations in all aspects, from political relations and economic cooperation to culture and humanity. The idea “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights” in the France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in 1789 touched the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people and was endorsed by President Ho Chi Minh in the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945.
Five years ago, the two countries established a strategic partnership framework, demonstrating the upgrading of political credibility and new depths in their bilateral cooperation.
The important results during the official visit to France made by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong have created a solid foundation to consolidate and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations, while affirming their determination to forcefully boost the Vietnam – France relations in all fields, commensurate with the two countries' potential and in line with the two peoples’ aspirations, as well as for the two sides’ benefits and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
