Foreign Minister holds bilateral talks in Paris

At their talks, FM Bui affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to its relationship with France, an important member of the EU, and a strategic partner of Viet Nam with numerous connections relating to history, culture, and people.

On her part, Minister Catherine Colonna expressed her impression of Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements and spoke highly of the official visit to the French Republic by FM Bui.

This is the first exchange of foreign ministerial visit between the two countries over the past 10 years, which took place on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership.

Regarding politics and diplomacy, the two ministers consented to continue strengthening exchange visits and meetings at all levels in the coming time, especially between both nations' senior leaders, to maintain cooperation mechanisms.

Besides, trade-investment cooperation continues to be an important pillar in the bilateral relationship.

The two sides were glad to see that bilateral trade is recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, with last year's trade turnover reaching US$5.3 billion, up 10 percent on-year, and agreed to continue effectively carrying out the EU - Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The Vietnamese diplomat asked the French Government to support and urge the French National Assembly to soon ratify the EVIPA, and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the EC's yellow card on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood products.

The French minister showed his attention to economic cooperation projects between the two countries, especially the Nhon – Ha Noi station urban railway project, a symbol of Viet Nam-France economic cooperation.

Also, the two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fields of climate change response, renewable energy, science-technology, education and training.

Minister Bui suggested France continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in France to integrate successfully into the host nation as a contribution to enhancing the role as a bridge connecting the two countries.

On this occasion, FM Bui cordially invited Minister Catherine Colonna to pay an official visit to Viet Nam, and his invitation was graciously accepted./.