Top leader holds talks with French President Macron in Paris

To Lam reiterated that Viet Nam attaches importance to the relations with France, adding that the Southeast Asian nation choosing France as the first European Union (EU) member state to establish the comprehensive strategic partnership was a clear testament to the high level of political trust and determination to elevate the bilateral ties to a new height.

He suggested France increase assistance for Viet Nam to address the war consequences, particularly in the search for missing military personnel and the exchange of wartime memorabilia.

To Lam underlined the need to effectively implement the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged France to complete the ratification of the Viet Nam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at an early date in order to create new momentum for investors.

He called on the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" imposed on Viet Nam, thereby helping the nation to develop sustainable fisheries sector.

The Vietnamese leader proposed the two countries expand scientific research cooperation, including space science, and speed up technology transfer and development of technological capabilities. He also sought France's assistance for Viet Nam in gradually developing quantum technology.

The guest urged France to simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

He suggested France support Viet Nam in researching, restoring, preserving and promoting the value of its heritage and historic buildings, including Long Bien Bridge in Ha Noi and historic French villas, with the participation of French architects.

The two sides should expand collaboration in developing high-quality human resources in fields such as semiconductors, new energy and railways, stressed the Vietnamese leader.

He highlighted the role of the Pasteur Institutes in Viet Nam, calling for elevating their cooperation, with a view to making Viet Nam a leading regional hub for the application of advanced medical technologies in Southeast Asia.

Macron, for his part, underscored the long-standing traditional ties between the two peoples, while affirming that France stands ready to accompany Viet Nam in its new era of development.

He expressed his hope that the two countries would soon launch major and new projects in strategic fields of science and technology.

The host affirmed readiness to support Viet Nam in the construction of the Museum of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, adding that France would continue to actively help Viet Nam in developing its cultural industries as well as provide additional materials on President Ho Chi Minh.

President Macron spoke highly of the insightful views expressed by To Lam at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue on upholding international law and promoting multilateralism.

The two leaders pledged to maintain regular contacts at all levels through all channels, including the Party, Government, National Assembly and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides agreed to reinforce cooperation in military medicine training, as well as coordinate efforts to combat crime and share information, particularly on organized and transnational crime.

In the areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation, they vowed to pursue new, strategic and long-term areas of cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on the development of highly strategic industries and services with strong spillover effects.

In particular, they stressed the need to promote value-chain linkages following the model of French technology–Vietnamese production–regional and global supply, enabling the two countries' key products, including processed and manufactured goods as well as agricultural and food products, to participate more deeply in global supply chains.

Breakthrough cooperation will focus on strategic areas such as aerospace, critical minerals, quantum technology, clean energy, and research for sustainable development and climate change response.

The two leaders vowed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations and within the ASEAN-EU framework.

On maritime issues, the two sides undercored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded trade, and the right of innocent passage in the East Sea and around the world.

They also highlighted the significance of resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.