PM Phuc meets with visiting French President

Photo: VGP

The PM made the statement during his September 6 meeting in Ha Noi with French President François Hollande, who is on a state visit to Viet Nam.

Hailing the comprehensive outcomes of the Viet Nam-France strategic partnership over the past years, he suggested both sides accelerate cooperation in areas of France’s strength including infrastructure, high technology, aerospace, health care, pharmaceuticals and energy.

Particularly, more focus should be put on strengthening affiliation in technology transfer and training, and creating conditions for Viet Nam’s participation in satellite manufacturing procedures, an area that the two countries are working finely together, he said.

Viet Nam and France should further ties in sustainable development such as technologies in environmental protection and green agriculture, PM Phuc proposed, calling on French businesses’ participation in green projects in Viet Nam.

He asked for France’s support during Viet Nam’s implementation of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) commitments, while calling on the European country to continue its official development assistance for Viet Nam, particularly in the field of infrastructure, climate change and poverty reduction.

The government leader also suggested both sides enhance cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment, striving to double their two-way trade turnover from the modest US$4.2 billion in 2015.

The two countries need to accelerate negotiations for amendments to the bilateral air transport agreement aiming to increase flight frequency and meet the demands for traveling and trade between their people, he said, adding that cooperation in culture and education, people-to-people exchange, and ties among localities should also be strengthened.

PM Phuc shared France’s concern over terrorism and expressed his deep sympathy to France over its huge losses caused by terrorists.

He called for France’s support of ASEAN’s stance concerning the maintenance of peace, stability, security, safety and aviation and navigation freedom in the East Sea, as well as peaceful settlement of East Sea issues in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea.

For his part, President Francois Hollande affirmed that France always treasures and wishes to boost ties with Viet Nam in various fields, including those mentioned by PM Phuc above, particularly cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment and response to climate change and rising sea waters.

He noted that during the visit, apart from ministers and representatives of France’s ministries and sectors, he is also accompanied by a number of France’s leading companies and economic corporations seeking for investment opportunities in Viet Nam, which demonstrates French enterprises’ interest in developing ties with the Southeast Asian country.

France always gives priority to strengthening economic relations with Viet Nam, President Hollande affirmed, calling on Viet Nam to continue creating favorable conditions for French investors to do long-term and effective business in Viet Nam.

France is also keen on enhancing bilateral ties in science-technology, technology transfer, education and training, agriculture and pharmaceuticals, together with boosting cultural and people-to-people exchange, thus increasing mutual understanding between the two nations, he stated.

The French president also pledged continuous assistance for Viet Nam in the fields of the country’s demand, including adaptation to climate change and rising sea waters and environmental protection.