Participants at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang held a meeting with French parliamentarians and members of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group in the French Parliament on September 28 following the invitation by Stéphanie Do, chairwoman of the group

At the meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat briefed the participants on Vietnam’s situation and the bilateral relations between the two countries.

French parliamentarians from political parties highly evaluated France-Vietnam relations and Vietnam’s role in the European country’s foreign policy in the region.

They expressed their interest in Vietnam’s Covid-19 prevention and control, the Southeast Asian nation’s measures to promote post-pandemic economic recovery and its policy on international economic integration, including measures against counterfeit goods.

The French parliamentarians were also interested in Vietnam’s solutions to respond to climate change, including policy on energy development, the current concerns of young people, characteristics of Vietnamese socialism, and some aspects of the country's foreign policy, including those in Asia-Pacific.

Thang and the French parliamentarians debated prospects for the Vietnam-France strategic partnership in the fields of politics, economy, culture, education, training, and security – defence, and for coordination between the two countries in international documents as well as at multilateral forums such as the UN and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Regarding international issues, the participants shared their assessments of ASEAN's role in solving regional issues such as the Myanmar situation and the South China Sea (called Bien Dong Sea in Vietnamese) issues, as well as cooperation with the European Union to deal with global and regional challenges, according to VNA.

The two sides agreed to enhance the exchange of information, closely coordinate to promptly contribute to solving difficulties and finding new opportunities, and promote cooperation in all aspects in order to further develop the Vietnam-France relations in the coming time.

Thang applauded contributions of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group in the French Parliament in general and its chairwoman in particular in developing multifaceted relations between the two countries, as well as the relationship between the two legislatures, saying that these have importantly contributed to promoting the Vietnam-France strategic partnership.

He stressed that Vietnam and France need to further deepen their cooperation in a more substantive manner, thus helping to address challenges posed to each country and each region.

Also on the same day, ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also worked with the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global).

Participants at the meeting. (Photo: AVSE Global)

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang highly appreciates the contributions of AVSE Global to policy consulting, public management, and digital transformation over the years. AVSE was established in 2011 in France, with the aim of connecting Vietnamese experts to support the sustainable development of Vietnam. Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong, President of AVSE Global, said that AVSE Global's network is now expanding, with the participation of many experts and scientists around the world. In the Covid-19 situation, AVSE has organized online forum to exchange experiences in pandemic prevention.

Ealier, ambassador Dinh Toan Thang had a meeting on September 27 with a delegation from the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV) led by its President Gérard Daviot, during which the ambassador hailed the association’s contributions in strengthening friendship and cooperation between people of both countries, cited by VNA.

An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Affirming that the AAFV plays the key role in friendship, solidarity and cooperation associations with Vietnam in France, Ambassador Thang pledged to support activities of the association.

He expressed his hope that members of the association will continue to walk hand in hand in the current tough time as well as in the national construction and development in the future.

For his part, Daviot briefed the Vietnamese Ambassador on major activities of the association recently, noting that it has conducted a number of activities to support the poor, people from ethnic minority groups and Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.

The association has also supported Tran To Nga’s lawsuit against companies that manufactured and supplied toxic chemicals for the US Military during the war in Vietnam, he said, adding that various friendship and exchange activities between people of Vietnam and Frances as well as activities to promote the image of Vietnam in France have also been held.

The AAFV affirmed that in the time to come, he will continue strengthening activities showing support and solidarity with Vietnam, including those assisting Vietnamese people in fighting the pandemic, dealing with climate change and human resources training.

The two sides discussed a number of issues of mutual concern as well as future plans to further lift up bilateral ties between Vietnam and France. On the occasion, the AAFV leader invited Ambassador Thang to attend the congress of the AAFV’s executive committee. The diplomat accepted the invitation.

The AAFV was formed in 1961 with an aim to supporting Vietnamese people in the struggle for national independence. The association has always stood by Vietnamese people in the cause of national construction and development. With a wide network covering all French cities and provinces, diverse activities by the association have helped connect and gather French friends who love Vietnam across the European country.

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