Believing the visit will greatly contribute to the country’s strategic partnership, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the sound relationship between Vietnam and France and considered this as a foundation for them to capitalise on their potential and advantages. He said he hopes they will intensify cooperation across the board and reinforce the strategic partnership in a result-oriented fashion. As France is a big European investor in Vietnam, the Deputy PM confirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to provide the best possible conditions for the two countries’ businesses to access each other’s markets and particularly for French investments in his nation.
He asked France to speed up some investment projects and continue the provision of official development assistance to Vietnam. He said he hopes France will help tighten the Southeast Asian country’s connections with the European Union (EU).
For his part, Claude Bartolone voiced his belief that bilateral ties will be consolidated on the basis of their long-standing amity, and the same for Vietnam’s relations with the EU. He noted a great number of French enterprises’ investments in Vietnam and asked the local Government to streamline procedures to facilitate their operations.
At the meeting with Claude Bartolone, NA Chairman Hung thanked the French NA for its support in global economic integration, bilateral collaboration and Vietnam – EU ties, saying that it is decisive for the two countries’ development. The Vietnam NA is fine-tuning legal regulations with the 2013 Constitution, including those involving economy, trade and investment. The Vietnamese law always protects the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors, including those from France, Hung told his guest.
The top legislator also proposed strengthened cooperation across transport, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science, education, health care and personnel training, thus deepening mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Both nations need to enhance national defence-security links to maintain peace and security in the region and the world, he said. To deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, Chairman Hung said the ruling Parties, NAs, governments, and Joint Committees, especially businesses and localities, should intensify exchanges and form partnerships in their strongest fields.
The French NA leader said he hopes the Party, NA and Government of Vietnam would continue consolidating bilateral ties in political and diplomatic, as well as socio-economic and cultural aspects.He also agreed upon his host’s proposal to assist Vietnam in ensuring maritime security and protesting militarisation in the East Sea. Claude Bartolone described the respect for international law as crucial to preventing maritime trade losses in the East Sea as well as undesired tension, and briefed his host that the French legislature recently adopted a cooperation agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).
Energy, water and pollution treatment are among France’s strengths, he said while affirming his nation's willingness to more closely cooperate with Vietnam in these fields. France will promote bilateral personnel training and stands ready to assist Vietnam in medical technology transfer and French language training, making it easier for Vietnamese students to pursue education in the country, he added.
