Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (Photo: VNA)Speaking to Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France from November 3-5,Ambassador Thang noted that France was one of the first countries to set updiplomatic relations with Vietnam after the signing of the Paris Agreement in1973.
He highlighted important milestones in the bilateral relations, and stressed that currently, France is one of theleading partners of Vietnam in Europe as well as in the world.
According to the ambassador, France has attached importance to Vietnam’s position in theregion as well as its strategies and policies in Southeast Asia andAsia-Pacific region. He said the formation of the bilateral strategic partnership in 2013 not only reflected the close ties that have been built anddeveloped in many decades, but also manifested both sides’ wish anddetermination to further lift up their relationship with a long-term vision andstability.
The coordination between the two sides in internationalissues and at important multilateral forum has been close, said the diplomat,adding that both sides have regularly exchanged viewpoints on matters relatedto regional security and shared the views on respect for international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, maritime andaviation freedom, the ensuring of peace, security and the settlement ofdisputes through peaceful measures.
Ambassador Thang underscored that Vietnam and France boastfavourable conditions to further beef up their partnership. Authorised agenciesand partners of both sides should seek ways to build on the outcomes of the bilateral partnership and effectively implement orientations defined by leadersof the two countries to deepen the bilateral cooperation.
Thang said that the overall objective of Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh’s visit to France is affirming Vietnam’s external policy ofindependence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development,diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, andfostering and deepening the Vietnam-France strategic partnership.
The visit is another step in Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy,he stated, adding that during the visit, Vietnam will mobilise support inequipment, medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention and control and seekcooperation in post-pandemic recovery./.
VNA
