Top Vietnamese leader's upcoming visit to inject new momentum into Viet Nam-France relations

Ambassador Olivier Brochet made the statement during an interview with the VGP ahead of the official visit scheduled on September 10-12 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The visit comes nearly two years after Viet Nam and France elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (October 2024), creating a broader framework for cooperation in a wide range of fields.

Stronger cooperation in strategic areas

The French diplomat cited energy transition as a prominent example of the progress made in bilateral cooperation.

Under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), France has committed to supporting Viet Nam's transition to a low-carbon economy. The French Development Agency (AFD) has now committed more than two-thirds of the funding pledged by France four years ago, while a number of projects are being implemented, according to the Ambassador.

He also pointed to progress in major economic and industrial projects, saying that several symbolic and significant announcements are expected during the visit, demonstrating the two countries' determination to build for the future.

At the same time, Ambassador Brochet said the visit would be forward-looking, with the two sides expected to explore new areas in which they can further expand cooperation. These include space, low-carbon energy, strategic minerals, research, education and training.

"We are particularly pleased that General Secretary and President To Lam has decided to visit Paris-Saclay during his stay in Paris," he said, describing it as France's largest university and research cluster and one of the most modern such clusters in Europe.

The visit to Paris-Saclay is expected to provide an opportunity to further promote cooperation in science, technology, research and high-quality human resources training.

Viet Nam's voice important at International Space Summit

Regarding General Secretary and State President To Lam's participation in the International Space Summit, Ambassador Brochet said France was "very, very welcome" to the Vietnamese leader's attendance.

Initiated by President Emmanuel Macron and France, the Summit seeks to promote international discussions on the governance of outer space, which the Ambassador said had become a major issue that had not yet been adequately addressed by the international community.

He stressed that outer space should be viewed as a common heritage of humanity, amid rapidly expanding activities by states and private companies.

According to Ambassador Brochet, the Summit will bring together heads of state and government, business leaders and scientists to discuss outer space as a fundamental common good for the future of humanity and consider how it should be governed.

The discussions are expected to help identify concrete proposals that could subsequently be submitted to the United Nations, with a view to updating the international legal framework governing outer space.

The Ambassador noted that the existing framework was largely established in the 1960s, when only a small number of countries had access to outer space and satellites did not play the role they do today.

"Satellites did not play the same role then as they do today, and the context has fundamentally evolved. This framework therefore needs to be reconsidered and updated," he said.

He welcomed Viet Nam's participation in the Summit, stressing that the Southeast Asian country would have an opportunity to make its voice heard on issues concerning access to and the use of outer space.

"We need to hear from Viet Nam, as well as from Global South countries more broadly, about their needs and interests in relation to outer space, how these interests can be protected, and how access to this common good can be ensured for these countries," Ambassador Brochet said.

He emphasized that France seeks to work with both developed countries and established space powers, as well as countries that are not yet space powers but have the right to access and benefit from outer space.

The diplomat's remarks underscore France's expectation that the upcoming visit and Summit will not only deepen bilateral cooperation but also provide a platform for Viet Nam to contribute to discussions on emerging global issues and the future governance of outer space.