The Senate of France ratified the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on December 17 (Source: VNA)
Paris (VNA) –The Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA)🐈 sailed through the Senate of France in Paris on December 17 with 100 percent of the vote.
The PCA is a framework agreement that looks to adjust the relationship between Vietnam and the EU and replaces the 1995 Vietnam-EC Framework Cooperation Agreement.
The deal allows Vietnam to access the EU market more easily on the basis of the equal, long-term, and stable partnership and comprehensive cooperation.
Signed on June 27, 2012, the pact will come into force after it is ratified by all EU members.
Speaking at a discussion in Paris, Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, elaborated on the French Government’s views which lauded developments in the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and France over the past time, especially in economics, trade and investment.
She commented on the increasing bilateral trade and the stronger flow of French investments in the Southeast Asian nation.
Helene Conway-Mouret from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the Senate, presented a draft law which is comprised of eight chapters and 65 articles stipulating economic, trade and investment ties, development cooperation as well as the collaboration in justice, education, training, health care and the environment between the two nations.
The majority of the senators at the event echoed the French Government’s views on the fruitful Vietnam-France relations.
They agreed that the agreement should be soon ratified in order to create a legal framework for the affiliation between Vietnam and the EU, including the Vietnam-France relations.
Michel Billout, s enator from Seine - et - Marne , held that the PCA will pave the way for a mutually beneficial and more intensive and sustainable cooperation framework between Vietnam and the EU.
He explained that the EU is Vietnam’s leading economic and trade partner and the country’s important importer.
The PCA, along with the strategic partnership signed by Vietnam and France in September 2013, is expected to contribute to driving the bilateral relations towards a new period in a more effective and intensive fashion, meeting each side’s demand for development, he said.
Noting with joy the Senate’s ratification of the agreement, Helene Luc, a former French senator and Honorary President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, said the approval has translated the resolve to promote the two countries’ relations into a legal document that advance the bilateral ties to match the strategic partnership.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his hope that the partnership and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU will be deepened.
The European Parliament (EP) adopted an official resolution ratifying the Vietnam – EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), at a plenary session in Strasbourg city, France, on December 17.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The Senate of France ratified the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on December 17 (Source: VNA)
