Vietnamese, French FMs hold phone talks

Bui affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to fostering multifaceted cooperation with France, the first EU member to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the Southeast Asian nation.

He also called for leveraging the pioneering and coordinating role of the two foreign ministries to ensure that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership advances substantively and effectively, commensurate with the stature of the new relationship framework.

On the occasion, Le proposed both sides fully tap the potential of economic, trade, and investment ties. He urged France to expedite the ratification of the EU – Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and raise its voice to support the European Commission's early removal of the "yellow card" warning on Vietnamese aquatic products, which would further bolster Viet Nam–EU collaboration.

Barrot, for his part, praised Viet Nam's role in the region, affirming that the frequent and substantive high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent years serve as clear evidence of their high level of mutual trust, while also creating strong momentum for further advancing bilateral ties.

France wishes to increase cooperation with Viet Nam in such strategic sectors as energy, transport, and aerospace, while continuing to work closely with Viet Nam to promote multilateralism and tackle global challenges, he said.

Both sides agreed to further develop sci-tech as a new pillar of bilateral ties, with France assisting Viet Nam's capacity building in emerging technologies, including biotechnology, digital industries, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and digital infrastructure.

On global and regional issues, they vowed to step up exchanges and viewpoint coordination on matters of mutual interest, and reinforce inter-regional cooperation between ASEAN and the EU, thus contributing to peace, stability, and development in the regions and the world./.