Djerba (VNA) - Vice President Vo ThiAnh Xuan had meetings with leaders ofcountries and international organisations within the framework of the 18th Francophonie Summit in Djerba,Tunisia, on November 19 – 20 to promote bilateral and multilateralrelations with partners.

Meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall, the Vietnamese leader affirmedthat the country always attaches importance to relations with Senegal. She suggestedthe two countries increase the exchange of all-level delegations, expressingthanks to Senegal – President of the African Union (AU) in 2022 - for supportingVietnam in establishing relations with the union.

The two leaders agreed to make more efforts to further deepen the bilateralrelations in various fields, prioritise early signing of bilateralagreement to create a legal framework for long-term cooperation between the twocountries, and strengthen mutual support at international and regional forums,including the AU, and ASEAN.

In the meeting with Swiss President Ignazio Cassis, the Vietnamese Vice Presidentcongratulated the European country on its election as a non-permanent member of theUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2023-2024 tenure, while spotlightingthe fruitful development of the Vietnam – Switzerland relations in recent years.

For his part, Ignazio Cassis stated that Switzerland always attaches greatimportance to relations with Vietnam. He agreed with Vietnam's priorityproposals on the need for countries to accelerate negotiations towards signing afree trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which Switzerland is a member.

The two sides discussed specific measures to deepen the bilateral relations; andagreed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and organisations and involvethemselves in solving global issues related to peace, security, food security,energy, climate change, and water security.

Meeting Vice President Xuan, SlovenianPresident Borut Pahor affirmed his support for Vietnam's proposal for Sloveniaand the European Union (EU) to soon ratify the EU – Vietnam Investment ProtectionAgreement (EVIPA), to create a stronger impetus for trade and investment cooperationbetween Vietnam and the EU.

There is a great potential for the two sides topromote cooperation, especially in mechanics, automation, food processing,transportation services, and seaport development, the leaders said. They also made specific proposals to enhance cooperation and mutual support atimportant multilateral mechanisms, contributing to solving common issues of theworld.

During the 18th FrancophonieSummit, Vice President Xuan also met French President EmmanuelMacron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of Gabon Ali BongoOndimba, Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden, Prime Minister of LuxembourgXavier Bettel, Secretary Generalof the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo,and QuebecPremier Francois Legault./.