Vietnam to fortify cooperation with France in urban transport

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and France see strong potential to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as urban transportation, aerospace, and clean energy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said during talks with French counterpart François Bayrou in Paris on June 10.

The meeting followed Prime Minister Chinh’s participation in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice. 

Prime Minister Chinh said that the two countries have many opportunities to expand their bilateral cooperation, particularly in sectors in which France excels and Vietnam has growing demand, including aerospace, urban transportation, nuclear energy, and manufacturing technology.

He described these sectors as strategic drivers that align with Vietnam’s development and investment attraction priorities in the new era and encouraged French investors to establish joint ventures with Vietnamese enterprises to develop high-impact industries and services, such as automotive manufacturing and logistics. 

At the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh also urged France to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon and to collaborate closely with Vietnam to ensure the effective enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

French Prime Minister François Bayrou reaffirmed that France holds Vietnam in high regard and is committed to strengthening cooperation with the country in both traditional sectors and emerging areas, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

Considering the rapidly evolving and complex global political and economic context, Bayrou emphasized the necessity of closer coordination between Vietnam and France to promote peace, stability, and development in the region and worldwide.

Both leaders identified defense and security cooperation as a critical aspect of their bilateral relationship. Regarding economic, trade, and investment matters, they agreed to open their respective markets further, reduce dependence on third parties, and ensure the stability of global supply chains.

Concerning the East Sea (referring to the South China Sea), Vietnam and France underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability, as well as maritime and aviation security and freedom. This is to be achieved through respect for international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They affirmed the need to peacefully resolve disputes in accordance with international law and UNCLOS without the use or threat of force.

Following the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and a tripartite cooperation agreement among the Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals, the French Geological Survey (BRGM), and the French Development Agency (AFD) regarding sustainable mineral resource management and enhancing geological knowledge for the energy transition.

On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Gérard Larcher, President of the French Senate, and Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly.

They agreed to strengthen defense and security ties, including in the areas of peacekeeping, search and rescue operations, science and technology, energy, and transportation. They also pledged to maintain high-level exchanges and technical committee meetings and to promote cooperation between parliamentary friendship groups to foster mutual understanding and enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary operations.

Prime Minister Chinh called on the French Senate to boost its cooperation with the National Assembly of Vietnam to facilitate the ratification of bilateral agreements, as well as to promote coordination and mutual support in regional and international parliamentary forums.

He also urged the French National Assembly to support the government in furthering the practical aspects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes notable projects in transportation infrastructure, clean energy, education and training, culture and the arts, and museum conservation.