At the talks, the leaders expressed their shared view that bilateral ties have been thriving across the board, stating their resolve to bolster the countries’ strategic partnership with a vision for long-term co-operation so as to meet their common interests and concerns.
They agreed to enhance visits at all levels, especially at high levels, and to bring into play co-ordination mechanisms in politics, economics, defence, science and technology, culture and education and training.
They emphasised that their economic partnership remained a priority in bilateral ties, and that the countries needed to promote co-operation on key projects in infrastructure, energy, aviation, healthcare and pharmaceutics, the environment, agriculture and food processing.
President Hollande affirmed France’s commitment to continue providing Vietnam with ODA.
The countries will continue creating a favourable environment for their enterprises to cooperate, invest and do business. Vietnam invited France to be the honorary guest at the 2017 Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition (Vietnam Foodexpo).
The Presidents agreed to foster science and technology ties, particularly in renewable energy and satellite application, while boosting cultural, tourism and educational ties. They will provide optimal conditions for Vietnamese students to study in France and help the Hanoi University of Science and Technology to reach international standards.
Vietnam and France will reinforce defence co-operation, especially through the procurement of military equipment and mutual visits by naval ships. France will help Vietnam with its UN peacekeeping operations and will work with Vietnam to address traditional and non-traditional security issues.
They also agreed to enhance co-ordination at multilateral forums like the UN, ASEAN–EU, the Asia–Europe Meeting and the Francophonie. They will continue mutual support to promote France’s relations with Asian–Pacific countries and Vietnam’s co-operation with the EU.
Vietnam highly values France’s role in the fight against climate change, particularly after the success of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21), held in Paris last year. Both sides will tighten their co-operation on coping with global challenges, including climate change.
At the talks, the Presidents clarified the importance of maintaining peace and stability and promoting regional and international co-operation. They reiterated their commitment to ensuring free navigation and aviation, stressing the peaceful settlement of East Sea disputes through diplomatic and legal processes, and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Regarding The Hague tribunal’s ruling of July 12, 2016, both sides affirmed the principle of abiding by the law on the sea. They underlined the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), while supporting efforts to reach a Code of Conduct (COC) for sea navigation.
At the end of the talks, Presidents Tran Dai Quang and François Hollande witnessed the signing and exchange of many documents and co-operation agreements between the two governments, their ministries and agencies and businesses.
At noon the same day, the Vietnamese leader hosted a banquet in honour of the French President.
