President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron meet the press

President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference. Photo: VPCTN

On the morning of May 26, President Luong Cuong and his wife hosted a welcoming ceremony for President Emmanuel Macron and his wife at the Presidential Palace according to the protocol reserved for heads of state. Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, President Luong Cuong and President Emmanuel Macron led high-ranking delegations from the two countries to hold talks. After the talks ended, the two leaders held a press conference to inform the press about the results of the talks.

Speaking at the press conference, President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed the President and the high-ranking delegation of the French Republic on a State visit to Vietnam; affirming that this is the first high-level delegation exchange since the two countries upgraded their relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024, demonstrating the strong desire and determination of both sides in bringing the Vietnam - France relationship to a new height.

The President said that in an atmosphere of openness, sincerity and mutual trust, he and President Emmanuel Macron had a very successful meeting, in which the two sides agreed on directions and measures to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, and at the same time had in-depth discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two sides affirmed that strategic trust has been increasingly strengthened through delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, especially since the two countries upgraded their relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; agreed to continue promoting existing cooperation mechanisms, expanding new cooperation mechanisms, deepening specialized cooperation; and committed to enhancing people-to-people exchanges and promoting cooperation between localities, towards the 13th Vietnam - France Local Cooperation Conference in France.

President Luong Cuong speaks at a press conference. Photo: VPCTN

According to the President, in the context of complex fluctuations in the global economy , the two sides agreed that the pillars of economy, trade and development cooperation continue to be important driving forces for bilateral relations; committed to close coordination to maintain and strengthen free trade, further open markets for each other and continue to effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Along with that, Vietnam asked France to urge the European Commission to remove the IUU "Yellow Card" for Vietnamese seafood; soon complete the ratification of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encourage French corporations and enterprises to expand investment and joint ventures to develop strategic industries and services with high spillover effects such as automobiles, logistics, etc.

The President emphasized that the two sides also agreed to promote defense and security cooperation on the basis of signed agreements; increase information exchange on strategic issues; agree to study and expand cooperation in the fields of defense industry, cyber security, crime prevention and combat, terrorism, etc. At the same time, he acknowledged that cooperation in traditional fields such as science and technology, health care,education and training still has a lot of room for development in the context of the new relationship. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in areas where France has strengths such as aerospace, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, pharmaceuticals, and promote technology transfer and mastery.

The President said that Vietnam asked France to continue supporting the training of high-quality human resources, increase the teaching of French in Vietnam and expand the scholarship program for Vietnamese students. At the same time, he recommended that the French Government continue to pay attention and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stabilize their lives and integrate well, continue to make practical contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality, and serve as a solid bridge for the friendship between the people of the two countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a press conference. Photo: VPCTN

The President pointed out that the two sides emphasized the essential role of multilateralism, affirmed their common commitment to promoting international peace and stability; agreed to closely coordinate and support each other at international and regional forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN - EU, and the International Organization of La Francophonie. Vietnam and France are ready to support the strengthening of relations between Vietnam and the EU, as well as between ASEAN and France.

Emphasizing that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) is the comprehensive legal framework for all activities and cooperation at sea and in the ocean, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and supporting all efforts to soon reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.

The President believes that the State visit of His Excellency the President to Vietnam this time will be a strong driving force, promoting the Vietnam - France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries, and actively contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his gratitude to the State and people of Vietnam as well as the President himself for the warm welcome given to the President, his wife and the French delegation during this State visit.

The French President once again sent his deepest condolences to the State and people of Vietnam on the passing of former President Tran Duc Luong; emphasizing that France always keeps memories of the activities and close relationship that the former President had with French leaders within the framework of the Francophone Organization.

Specifying Vietnam as the first stop on his Southeast Asia tour, President Emmanuel Macron highly appreciated the close relationship between the two countries; wished that the two sides would work together to address challenges and develop the partnership to build a prosperous future.

Affirming that Vietnam is entering a new era with the goal of becoming a developed country by the middle of this century, President Emmanuel Macron once again emphasized France's desire to become a leading partner to support Vietnam in achieving this goal.

Referring to France's efforts to promote actions to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources through the organization of the United Nations Ocean Conference in June, the French leader hoped that Vietnam would actively participate and contribute to agreements on marine biodiversity conservation.

President Emmanuel Macron said the two sides signed a series of cooperation documents in many fields such as space cooperation, satellite system construction, mining, high-speed train development, energy, nuclear power, aviation, health, transportation, logistics, etc.

Emphasizing that both sides also committed to continuing to promote cooperation in culture and education and training, the French leader said these are areas in which the two sides have a tradition of very active cooperation, considering them bridges connecting the people of the two countries together.

President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that after the two countries decided to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the end of last year, making France the first country in the European Union (EU) to have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, this is truly a new page of history written between the two countries in all fields, including trade, science and technology, industry, defense, and education and training.

Pointing out that upgrading relations will create opportunities for deeper cooperation between France and Vietnam, and between ASEAN and the EU, the French leader affirmed his desire to actively promote these areas of cooperation with a common vision of international order.

Source: https://vpctn.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-va-tong-thong-phap-emmanuel-macron-gap-go-bao-chi.html