President Vo Van Thuong receives French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery

On the afternoon of July 10, at the Presidential Palace, receiving French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery on the occasion of the end of his term, President Vo Van Thuong hoped and believed that, in any position, the Ambassador would continue to have good feelings about the country and people of Vietnam, and be a bridge to strongly promote the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and France.

Congratulating Ambassador Nicolas Warnery on successfully completing his term of office and making positive contributions to fostering the strategic partnership between the two countries, the President assessed that Vietnam-France cooperation has made many important strides. Recalling his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in London during his visit to attend the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom last May, the President said that he had discussed and hoped to welcome the President to visit Vietnam soon to agree on future development orientations for the bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Nicolas Warnery stated that despite the complicated developments in the world , especially the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam and France have maintained effective cooperation. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for Vietnam's timely donation of masks, contributing to supporting France in responding to Covid-19 during the tense time of the pandemic.

Sharing the honor and pride of contributing to promoting the relationship between the two countries during his term in Vietnam, the Ambassador said that France advocates strongly developing relations with Vietnam in all fields, both bilaterally and at regional and international forums.

In 2023, the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973-2023) and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership. The Ambassador said that French President Emmanuel Macron hopes to meet President Vo Van Thuong soon to discuss and promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially in politics , diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, education, health care, energy and climate change response because Vietnam is one of the countries most heavily affected in this field. France is also ready to cooperate with Vietnam to preserve French cultural works and architectural heritage, especially Long Bien Bridge - a symbol of the capital Hanoi over the years...

President Vo Van Thuong thanked Ambassador Nicolas Warnery for his affection and contributions to Vietnam and agreed with the Ambassador's proposals on promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The President emphasized that over the past 50 years, the Vietnam-France relationship has achieved very important achievements, especially in the 10 years since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership. Vietnam thanked France for supporting millions of doses of vaccine, contributing to helping Vietnam respond to Covid-19.

To strengthen bilateral relations in the coming time, the President suggested that both sides continue to promote contacts, exchanges, and visits by high-ranking leaders. Through the Ambassador, the President respectfully sent an invitation and said that Vietnam is ready to welcome President Emmanuel Macron to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

The President suggested that the two sides promote delegation exchanges at the local level; further promote people-to-people exchanges, thereby deepening the traditional friendship between the two nations. Vietnam welcomes cooperation programs and projects of enterprises of the two countries; and hopes that France will soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to optimize the potential for bilateral cooperation.

Discussing with the Ambassador about cooperation between the two countries in the field of preserving cultural works and architectural heritages with French characteristics in Vietnamese provinces and cities, the President hoped that the French side would continue to pay attention and support so that this maintenance and preservation work can be effectively implemented.

Appreciating France's viewpoint on the East Sea issue, the President hoped that France would continue to support the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam on ensuring security, safety, freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea and resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

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