Vietnam attaches great importance to and highly prioritizes the Vietnam - France Strategic Partnership and supports France’s initiatives for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and around the world, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said.

He made the statement during high-level phone talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on October 20, in which he said the conversation demonstrates the importance the two countries’ leaders place on the Strategic Partnership as well as their wish for increased cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples and for the sake of peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world in the new circumstances.

Party Chief Trong spoke highly of the success of the French Government and President Macron in implementing reforms in various socio-economic fields to make France more prosperous and ensure the French people a safe and healthy life. He also praised France’s active role in strengthening the EU, contributing to addressing challenges facing the continent and elsewhere around the globe, leading the way in promoting cooperation on numerous global issues.

Speaking of the significant, comprehensive, and outstanding achievements Vietnam has recorded after 35 years of “Doi moi” (Renewal) as well as in post-Covid-19 recovery, the Party leader also informed President Macron of its development goals for the mid-21st century and its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralism, and diversification of relationships.

He also underscored the importance of peace, friendship, and cooperation as well as compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter in addressing global issues, including the maintenance of security in the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea.

For his part, President Macron told Party General Secretary Trong that France values Vietnam’s international role and position and the Vietnam - France Strategic Partnership. He reiterated that it always accompanies Vietnam in implementing strategic goals for national development.  

He said the phone talks will enable leaders from both sides to discuss development orientations for the bilateral relationship. He is delighted that the two countries’ leaders have agreed to reinforce political trust and people-to-people exchanges, and promote and create drastic change in cooperation in the areas of defense and security, economy, trade, investment, aviation, energy transition, science and technology, culture, and techniques.

The French leader affirmed his support for Vietnam’s enhanced cooperation with the EU, including the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA), the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EUVIPA), and cooperation in fisheries.