PM asks France to facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to French market
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked France to facilitate access to French market by Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and fishery ones, at his reception for French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht on March 1.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh askedFrance to facilitate access to French market by Vietnamese goods, especiallyagricultural and fishery ones, at his reception for French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and FrenchNationals Abroad Olivier Becht on March 1.
The PM expressed a wish that the two countries continue to workclosely together to optimize opportunities created by the Vietnam-EU Free TradeAgreement to boost bilateral trade.
He also urged France to early ratify the Vietnam-EU InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) so as to facilitate equal and mutually benefitinginvestment relations between Vietnam and France.
In addition, PM Chinh proposed that France push for the early removal of the EC’sIUU “yellow card” against Vietnamese fishery products, in order to benefitFrench and EU consumers and ensuring livelihoods for hundreds of thousands oflabourers in Vietnam’s fishery industry.
Minister Becht said economic-investment-trade cooperation is the pillar of theFrance-Vietnam strategic partnership. He affirmed that French businesses havegreat interest in investment in Vietnam, and want to accelerate the implementationof key economic cooperation projects of the two countries, including theNhon-Hanoi Station urban railway route in Hanoi.
The two sides acknowledged the important achievements in theircooperation, particularly the strong growth of bilateral trade, which increased10% year on year to reach 5.3 billion USD in 2022.
Noting the great potential of bilateral economic cooperation, theFrench minister pledged to further promote collaboration with Vietnam in fieldsof France’s strength such as climate change response, urban transportinfrastructure, health care, energy, aviation and e-government.
Becht appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in France, which heconsiders an important bridge connecting the two countries. He affirmed thatthe French Government will continue to create favourable conditions for thecommunity.
The two sides exchanged views on the situation in the East Seaand underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safetyand freedom of navigation and overflight in the sea. They also stressed thesignificance of settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis ofinternational law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS1982)./.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception for visiting former French Prime Minister Edouarad Philipe, who is now Mayor of Le Havre city, on February 16.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang lauded the contributions of the France-Vietnam Medical Federation to bilateral healthcare ties at a reception for the federation’s delegation on February 17.
A ceremony to commemorate and honour French communist Raymonde Dien (1929-2022) was held on February 25 in France’s Saint-Pierre-des-Corps city where she bravely laid down on the rails to block a train carrying tanks and other weapons to Indochina on February 23, 1950.
Ample room remains for trade between Vietnam and France to grow, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht during a working session in Hanoi on February 28.
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.
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The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
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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.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht (Photo: VNA) 
