France Seeks To Boost Vietnam Partnership

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with incoming French Ambassador Olivier Brochet on April 4th, signaling a mutual desire to strengthen the long-standing relationship between Vietnam and France.

PM Chinh highlighted France's importance within Vietnam's foreign policy and conveyed an invitation for a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron.

The prime minister underscored the need to maintain high-level exchanges and capitalize on the momentum established by the October 2023 phone call between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Macron.

He also stressed the importance of effective cooperation mechanisms between both nations.

Economic Focus: Beyond the EVFTA

Mr. Chinh expressed appreciation for France's role and influence within global and regional forums like the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU relationship. He affirmed Vietnam's readiness to work closely with France on common global challenges.

A central focus of the talks was economic cooperation. PM Chinh called for the full implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged France's swift ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He encouraged increased French investment in high-tech sectors, digital and green transformation, and pharmaceuticals. Exploring new areas of mutually beneficial economic cooperation was also emphasized. Additionally, PM Chinh pressed France to back Vietnam's bid to have the EC's "yellow card" designation on its seafood exports removed.

Beyond Trade: Diplomacy and People-to-People Ties

The Prime Minister advocated for increased scholarships for Vietnamese students studying in France. He also sought continued support for the Vietnamese community in France to foster its role as a cultural and economic bridge between the two nations.

Ambassador Brochet conveyed President Macron's positive impressions following Prime Minister Chinh's 2021 visit to France. He reiterated France's desire to cultivate a deeper and broader strategic partnership with Vietnam and vowed to advance the three cooperation pillars outlined in the phone call between the two countries' leaders.

The Ambassador also indicated French Minister of the Army Sébastien Lecornu's planned visit to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, highlighting a spirit of reconciliation and a focus on future collaboration.

Brochet affirmed France's support for the stances of ASEAN and Vietnam regarding the East Sea, including the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law, including UNCLOS 1982.