New pages in Vietnam-France relations continue to be written with today's brilliant cooperation achievements.
Initiated in the early 1990s, cooperation between Vietnam-France localities has become a feature and at the same time a bright spot in the two countries' relations. Over the past 30 years, this important cooperation bridge has been continuously consolidated and cultivated.
Currently, there are 38 French localities that have partnerships with 18 provinces and cities in Vietnam. The projects focused on areas of France's strengths that are suitable for Vietnam's needs, such as culture, language, tourism, heritage and museum conservation, water and environmental sanitation, urban planning, education-training, health, sustainable development, environment, and agriculture.
As for Hanoi, after establishing relations with Toulouse City in 1996, Hanoi has continued to expand cooperation relations with French localities in many fields such as development aid, direct investment, technology transfer, human resource training, especially conservation and development of the city's cultural heritage. This form of cooperation has become a model for the traditional friendship and cooperation between the local levels of the two countries.
The first Vietnam-France cooperation conference was held in 1996 in the city of Lille (France). Up to now, the two countries have successfully coordinated to organise 11 rotating meetings in the two countries.
Taking place as Vietnam and France celebrate their 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, the 12th Vietnam-France Cooperation Conference was held from April 13-16 with the theme "The driving force for sustainable and comprehensive recovery and development after the COVID-19 pandemic".
This was an opportunity for the two sides to look back on the cooperation achievements achieved in the past time, and at the same time set out directions to strengthen and strengthen the existing relationship, as well as expand new partnerships.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Le Hong Son said that this conference had very new points. In addition to cooperation in traditional fields such as culture, education, and environment, the parties wished to enhance the effectiveness of economic cooperation in order to make local cooperation between the two countries a driving force for comprehensive recovery and sustainable development after the pandemic.
As such, both the French and Vietnamese sides want to promote the potential and strengths of the two countries to continue promoting effective cooperation activities, with the participation of businesses of the two countries, he noted.
The year 2023 is a year of special significance for both Vietnam and France as it marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang emphasised that the two countries have experienced five vivid decades of diplomatic relations and a dynamic decade of strategic partnership. The determination of the leaders of the two sides, the support of people from all walks of life, and the active participation of partners in all fields are fuelling faith in a brighter new chapter of the bilateral relationship.
The 12th Vietnam-France cooperation conference, which gathered more than 800 delegates, showed the spirit of joint effort and consensus of the two peoples to build a bridge of friendship and cooperation.
Facing challenges from geopolitical fluctuations, epidemics, and precarious status of the global economy, promoting effective connectivity in all aspects is an indispensable requirement of both Vietnam and France.
Following the past 50 years of good cooperation, Vietnam and France continue to accompany each other, being sincere friends and reliable partners to overcome challenges together.
