French Prime Minister begins official visit to Vietnam
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on November 2 begins his three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) - French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on November 2 beginshis three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc.
Vietnam and France set up diplomatic ties on April 12, 1973. Overcoming ups anddowns in history, over the past 45 years, especially since the establishment ofthe strategic partnership in 2013, Vietnam-France relations have developed unceasingly.
In the past years, the two sides have maintained the exchange of high-leveldelegations. Particularly, a visit to France by General Secretary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in March 2018 hascreated a strong driving force for the development of bilateral ties in thefields of politics, economy, culture, education, healthcare and nationaldefence.
Bilateral trade between Vietnam and France have seen positive growth, withVietnam having enjoyed continuous trade surplus since 2010, reported the Ministryof Industry and Trade.
In 2017, the two-way trade value exceeded 4.6 billion USD, up 11.6 percent from2016. The figure included 3.3 billion USD worth of Vietnamese exports to Franceand 1.3 billion USD worth of imports from the European country, both increasingby over 11 percent year on year.
France is an important European partner of Vietnam. It also respects Vietnam’sstature and contributions to peace, stability and development in the region andthe world. Vietnam’s membership of the ASEAN Economic Community and many freetradeagreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA), expected to take effect in the near future, will bring new cooperationchances for both countries.-VNA
A fine art exhibition highlighting Vietnam – France friendship opened in Ho Chi Minh on October 15 by the HCM City’s Union of Friendship Oganisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association.
France wants to share its experience in administrative reform with Vietnam, especially in assessing public policies, applying digital tools in administrative reform, and drafting and implementing laws relating to territorial planning, said French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary.
Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Le Thanh Liem hosted a reception on October 18 for Max Vincent, Vice President of France’s Lyon, during which they signed a cooperation agreement for 2018-2020 between the two sides.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung is paying a working visit to France from October 26-28 to seek measures to continue cementing ties between Vietnam and France.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (Photo: AFP) 
