Hanoi (VNA) – The Presidents of Vietnam and France underlined the importanceof further strengthening th🌱e cooperative framework between the two countries torespond to global issu🅠es and regional challenges, during their phone talks onMay 11.

Thetwo State leaders particularly highlighted cooperation on promoting sustainabledevelopment goals, adapting to climate change, protecting the environment, maintainingpeace, security, stability and ensuring respect for international law and the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc expressed satisfaction with the development of Vietnam-Franceties, including the implementation of outcomes reached during the France visitby Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He affirmed that France is amongleading partners in Europe of Vietnam, and suggested that the two countriescontinue working closely together towards the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship and 10th year of theirstrategic partnership in 2023. PresidentEmmanuel Macron said he appreciates the steps of development in theFrance-Vietnam strategic partnership, particularly the official visit to Francein 2018 by Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong. He reiterated France’s policy onclosely cooperating with Vietnam to further develop their relations.

The two leaders exchanged views on specific measures to promotebilateral ties. They agreed that their ministries and sectors should maintainexisting mechanisms of exchange and push ahead with the joint work in importantprojects and priority fields of cooperation, such as COVID-19 prevention andcontrol, security-defence, economy-trade-investment, energy, transport, aerospace,environment, culture, education-training and local cooperation towards a conference on  cooperation between Vietnamese and Frenchlocalities slated for late 2022.

PresidentPhuc asked his French counterpart to provide support for the Vietnamesecommunity in France💙 so that they can stabilize their lives and ensure safetyamidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Hethanked France for backing the development of Vietnam-EU ties, especially inpushing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, adding that he hopes the Frenchparliament will early complete the ratification of the Vietnam-EU InvestmentProtection Agreement, so as to promote mutually-beneficial cooperation between Vietnamand the EU in general and France in particular.

PresidentMacron spoke highly of Vietnam’s role in the region ♏and the internationalarena, especially the Southeast Asian country's success in performing the role of the Chair of ASEAN lastyear and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at present.

Thetwo leaders agreed that Vietnam and France should continue with their close coordinationat multilateral forums, particularly the UN, ASEM, the Francophonie, whilepromoting ASEAN-France ties, especially now that France has become adevelopment partner of ASEAN since 2020. PresidentPhuc took the occasion to repeat an invitation to visit Vietnam to the FrenchPresident./.