Viet Nam, France advance implementation of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The agreement was reached during talks between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Martin Briens in Ha Noi on July 8.

Minister Le affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to strengthening relations with France, its first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in the European Union. He welcomed the positive progress achieved since the two countries upgraded their ties and described the entry into force of the Action Plan implementing the Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a significant milestone in translating shared strategic orientations into practical cooperation programs and projects.

The Vietnamese minister suggested the two sides maintain regular high-level exchanges and contacts while maximizing the coordinating role of the two foreign ministries to effectively implement the new partnership framework. He also invited French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot to visit Viet Nam soon.

Regarding future cooperation priorities, Le suggested the two countries expand collaboration in defense, security, energy and strategic infrastructure. He highlighted the potential for cooperation on the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant project and other major infrastructure initiatives. He also called on France to soon ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime, adopted in Ha Noi, and to send a delegation to the East Sea Conference hosted by Viet Nam.

On economic cooperation, Le called for stronger efforts to fully tap bilateral trade and investment potential. He urged France to complete the ratification of the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), continue supporting the removal of the IUU "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports, and assist Viet Nam in being removed from the OECD list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.

In reply, Briens reaffirmed France's determination to translate bilateral priorities into tangible outcomes. He said France is working closely with Vietnamese partners on civil nuclear energy and expressed hope that French companies would participate in Viet Nam's strategic infrastructure projects, including the North–South high-speed railway and the Ha Noi–Hai Phong railway, while continuing efforts to address outstanding issues related to Ha Noi's Metro Line 3 project.

Both sides agreed to broaden cooperation in emerging sectors such as critical minerals, science and technology, innovation and space technology. Le proposed the early implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on science, technology and innovation, accelerated progress on the VNREDSat-2 satellite project, and closer cooperation in culture, healthcare, people-to-people exchanges and sub-national partnerships, including preparations for the 13th Viet Nam–France Decentralized Cooperation Conference in 2026.

Briens said France has made positive progress in the EVIPA ratification process and reaffirmed France's readiness to support Viet Nam on OECD-related issues while continuing to advocate within the European Union for the early lifting of the IUU yellow card.

Briens noted France's strengths in rare earth technologies and the space sector and expressed his country's interest in expanding cooperation with Viet Nam in these fields, alongside culture, healthcare and local-level cooperation.

Describing Viet Nam as a trusted partner and a strategically important country for France in the Asia-Pacific region, Briens said the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has opened up new momentum for bilateral cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and work closely together at regional and international forums to uphold multilateralism, promote dialogue, respect international law, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and beyond./.