Full Joint Statement on elevating Viet Nam-France ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

On the basis of the achievements of bilateral cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, on the basis of similarities in interests and shared vision on compliance with the United Nations Charter, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam and President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron agreed to elevate the bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of General Secretary and President To Lam's official visit to France from October 6-7.

Deepening political cooperation in the face of international challenges

The two countries committed to promote bilateral ties on the basis of respect for international law, equality and sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and political system of each other.

On bilateral aspect, the two sides pledged to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts through all channels between the French administration and the Communist Party, Government, National Assembly and local authorities of Viet Nam; to upgrade and improve the effectiveness of and expand bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Viet Nam and France underscored the importance of multilateralism, with the United Nations playing the central role, while reaffirming their commitment to adhere to the United Nations Charter, especially the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are crucial to each country's development. Both sides committed to strengthening consultation and coordination at regional forums, particularly ASEAN, and international forums, including the International Organization of La Francophonie.

France and Viet Nam reaffirmed commitments to maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea and fully respecting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Both sides strongly opposed all forms of threats or use of force contrary to international law and reaffirmed the importance of ensuring unimpeded navigation and aviation security and freedom, as well as the right of innocent passage in the East Sea, while supporting the regional efforts to reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The two sides underscored the importance of achieving a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, in accordance with international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

Both sides reaffirmed the special importance of respect for independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.

Both sides expressed grave concern over the alarming escalation of the situation in the Middle East and called on all relevant parties to de-escalate and exercise maximum restraint; condemned all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure; called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza along with the release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid. The two sides reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution as the only path to ensure a just and sustainable peace for both Israel and Palestine, as well as stability in the region. At the same time, both sides also called for a ceasefire in Lebanon to seek an appropriate diplomatic solution in line with the United Nations Security Council's Resolution No. 1701.

Strengthening defense and security cooperation

Both sides committed to forging defense ties in order to strengthen their self-reliance capabilities in accordance with each side's demand. Accordingly, the two sides decided to create a new driving force for military industry cooperation through joint structural projects. Both sides expected to accelerate the exchange of delegations, consultation, training activities, in line with defense cooperation agreements, especially in military medicine, peace-keeping operation, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue. Both sides also wished to boost cooperation in memory-sharing initiatives following the visit to Viet Nam by the French Minister of Armed Forces on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Viet Nam will facilitate the French military ships to dock at Vietnamese seaports in accordance with Vietnamese law, in order to promote cooperation and professional exchanges between the navies and coast guard forces of the two countries.

Both sides committed to fostering cooperation and training in the fields of security and combat of illegal migration and human trafficking. Both sides committed to enhancing the exchange of information about crime prevention and control. Both sides will continue promoting cooperation in citizen protection and strengthening fire prevention, search and rescue capabilities.

Strengthening economic partnership to promote trade exchange and innovation

Both sides reaffirmed their common resolve to boost economic, trade and investment cooperation-a pillar of the bilateral ties. Both sides reiterated the importance of continuing full implementation of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement, including market access and protection of intellectual property rights. On investment, both sides will continue to facilitate their projects in each country towards a transparent, stable and predictable business environment. Both sides underscored the importance of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Viet Nam expected France to soon ratify the EVIPA.

Both sides expressed their wish to develop and deepen strategic cooperation in innovation and new technologies, especially through the exchange of public policies and training activities.

Viet Nam expressed its wish to step up cooperation with France and French companies in the fields of infrastructure, urban and railway transport, renewable energy, energy transition, non-carbon hydrogen, digital economy, circular economy, logistics and seaport infrastructure, civil aviation, and submarine cables. Both sides agreed to foster cooperation in training, research and application of civil nuclear technology, especially in the energy sector. The two sides committed to strengthening and expanding the scope of cooperation in the fields of satellites and essential minerals.

Intensifying cooperation for sustainable development and self-reliance

In the face of climate change-induced challenges, the two sides reaffirmed their determination to achieve the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection, within the framework of the Paris Consensus for People and Planet (4P Consensus). France welcomed Viet Nam's strong commitments towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and coal phase-out. France will continue to support Viet Nam to achieve these goals and to build a low-carbon economic model, particularly through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Viet Nam acknowledges and supports the Coal Transition Accelerator (CTA) initiative to develop solutions to promote the replacement of coal energy. France will continue cooperation with Viet Nam to cope with climate change impacts throughout the country, including the Mekong Delta.

Both sides recognized the crucial role of the oceans for the planet and the climate and pledge to further deepen exchanges on this topic within the framework of maritime cooperation dialogues, particularly to ensure the success of the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025. In this spirit, the two sides maintain and promote cooperation in the field of sustainable fisheries, based on the existing international and EU regulations.

Continued promotion of people-to-people exchanges

People-to-people exchanges are the foundation of the bilateral ties. Both sides pledged to promote the exchanges between the two peoples, facilitating cultural cooperation, including heritage, sports, exchange of teachers, students and scientists, as well as teaching Vietnamese and French. People-to-people exchanges contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity between the youth and peoples of the two countries. This is also the important driving force for economic and social development.

Both sides committed to continue cooperation in the fields of healthcare, justice, governance and agriculture and expressed their pleasure at the increasingly growing local-to-local cooperation.

Based on the contents of the Joint Statement, Foreign Ministers of the two countries shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to build an action plan as soon as possible to realize the aforesaid targets./.

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