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Party General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam and President Emmanuel Macron of France hold talks in Paris on October 7.

Vietnam and France elevate ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Top leaders of Vietnam and France decided to lift the two countries’ relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during their high-level talks in Paris on October 7, making the France the first EU member state to have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam and President Emmanuel Macron of France outlined major directions and measures to deepen and make the new partnership framework increasingly practical in the new context.

As security and defense cooperation is one of the important pillars, the two sides agreed to effectively implement the signed cooperation agreements and soon organize a Strategic Security and Defense Dialogue. They also agreed to coordinate and support each other in officer training, share experience in crime prevention and combat, while mutually supporting each other at regional and global security forums.

To Lam highly appreciated the recent visit to Vietnam by French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory at Dien Bien Phu, which reflects a spirit of respecting history, breaking with the past and looking into the future.

Both sides appreciated cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries in economic cooperation. They agreed to continue promoting France’s preferential loans and ODA for Vietnam, and encouraged business associations of both countries to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

To Lam urged France to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), acknowledge Vietnam’s efforts in sustainable fisheries transition, and support the European Commission (EC) in lifting the yellow card against Vietnamese seafood exports.

Macron for his part emphasized that the EVFTA is an important driving force for enhancing economic and trade relations between the two parties, and that he would soon urge the French National Assembly to approve the EVIPA. The French President praised Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and green transition.

Both sides consented to strengthen cooperation in areas where France has strengths and potential, such as infrastructure, aerospace, science and technology, renewable energy, and hydrogen energy. Recognizing the positive results of cooperation in the field of science and technology, they agreed to increase cooperation in new areas such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, and airport infrastructure, cited VOV.

In the fields of health care and education, they stressed the need to enhance high-quality human resource training, facilitate Vietnamese students’ study in France with more scholarships, and encourage citizens of both countries to participate in major cultural events in their territories.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in ecological agriculture and circular agriculture, as well as in trilateral cooperation between Vietnam, France, and southern countries to ensure global food security.

Macron appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in responding to climate change. In turn, To Lam spoke highly of France’s pioneering and leading role in the fight against climate change. He expressed a desire for both sides to continue cooperation in developing ecosystem-based models and enhancing the resilience of urban areas and coastal regions, particularly the Mekong Delta.

The French leader praised the role of the Vietnamese community in France, viewing them as an important bridge between the two countries. He affirmed that France would continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates living and working in their host country.

With regard to multilateral cooperation, both sides recognized ASEAN’s central role in the region and committed to further enhancing France’s relations with ASEAN as well as the EU-ASEAN partnership. They pledged to continue mutual support at multilateral forums and international organizations such as ASEM, the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, La Francophonie, and the United Nations.

Macron emphasized that France values Vietnam’s perspective on ending violence, de-escalating tensions, and calling on parties to resolve conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other places through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, To Lam invited Macron to visit Vietnam soon. Macron happily accepted the invitation, and said he would visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

After the talks, a number of cooperation documents in the fields of diplomacy, culture, education, transportation, and internal affairs were signed by the ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries.

Vietnam makes wholehearted contributions to ASEAN: Ambassador

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam has emphasized Vietnam’s tangible and wholehearted contributions to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past time.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, Laos, from October 8-11, Tam said with the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, the meetings will focus on strategic issues relating to the bloc and the region.

The Vietnamese delegation, to be led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, will deliver many important messages on ASEAN and its future at the meetings, including cooperation within the bloc and between it and partners, contributing to building a more connected and resilient ASEAN Community, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (Photo: VNA)

For Vietnam’s support to Laos - ASEAN Chair in 2024, the diplomat said the assistance has been carried out in various forms, and on the basis of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, as well as mutual support at multilateral forums.

The Vietnamese Government presented 1 million USD to Laos earlier this year in support of the neighboring country’s preparations for ASEAN events, he elaborated.

Notably, during his state visit to Laos in July, President To Lam announced Vietnam's gift of 20 automobiles manufactured by automaker VinFast to serve the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings, the ambassador stressed, speaking of support from Vietnamese ministries and agencies to the Lao side.

During visits and meetings between the two countries’ leaders, Vietnam has also committed all-round support to and close coordination with Laos in pushing ahead with the Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The companionship not only demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, but also contributes to advancing their role and position in the international arena, helping Laos fulfill its ASEAN Chairmanship, consolidating ASEAN’s centrality in coping with regional challenges, and ensuring solidarity and sustainable development of the bloc, he said.

PM Pham Minh Chinh leaves for Laos to attend ASEAN Summits

A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh left Hanoi for Vientiane, Laos, to participate in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings.

The PM is being accompanied by a number of ministers and deputy ministers in charge of foreign affairs, industry and trade, labor, natural resources and environment, public security, national defense, agriculture and rural development, information and communication, along with leaders of several localities and agencies.

Themed ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience, the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings are being held in Vientiane, Laos, from October 6 – 10, featuring more than 20 activities.

The leaders of ASEAN member states will discuss the progress of building the ASEAN Community, including efforts to complete the 2025 Blueprints on time, develop the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and strategies for implementation in the upcoming period, VOV reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam.

They will also review and set directions for ASEAN’s relations with partners, particularly in promoting cooperation in currently prioritized potential fields, while exchanging views on international and regional issues.

On this occasion, the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) will also take place, along with dialogue sessions between ASEAN leaders and representatives from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), and youth, as well as the second summit of the Asia Zero Emissions Community.

It is expected that the meetings will approve around 80 documents covering various priorities and areas of cooperation both within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners. Key topics will include the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), supply chain connectivity, digital cooperation, plastic circularity, climate change response, biodiversity, early childhood education, sustainable agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Businesses from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos strengthen cooperation

The Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos Business Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 6 to promote trade connections among businesses of the three countries.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said economic and trade cooperation is an important cooperation pillar that contributes to consolidating the three countries’ relations.

He expressed his belief that the forum will send out a positive message and generate practical results for the countries.

Cambodia's Under Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ouk Sophon emphasized the importance of the friendship relationship among the three, saying that together, they can create a dynamic ecosystem for more mutually beneficial cooperation for the people of each country.

He said Cambodia is ready to cooperate more closely with Vietnam and Laos, supporting the businessmen of the three countries to continue to develop and succeed, and creating new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and shared prosperity.

He said the forum shows the three countries’ efforts in bringing together investors, relevant private sector representatives, and government officials to exchange detailed information on how to better move forward and position themselves in the current context, cited VNA.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong (3rd from right) gives flowers to representatives of the forum organizing board. (Photo: VNA)

More importantly, it will turn untapped potential into tangible benefits, contributing to the prosperity of the country and its people, he said.

At the event, participants heard reports on the Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos economic, trade and investment cooperation and their investment attraction policies. They also discussed activities of Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cambodia and Laos and made suggestions to promote trade activities and business connections of their businesses.

In the first eight months of 2024, Vietnam and Cambodia posted a bilateral trade turnover of 6.8 billion USD, 14.5% higher than that of the same period last year and is expected to reach 10 billion for the whole year.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam –Laos trade has grown stably with their bilateral trade turnover reaching 1.65 billion USD in 2023.

Vietnam potential to become US$2 trillion economy by 2050, says WEF Founder

Vietnam is highly potential to grow into a US$2 trillion economy by 2050, said Prof. Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Schwab made the above statement during a talk show with young businessmen and students in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday.

The projection is based on Vietnam's population size of 100 million and annual economic growth rate of 6-7 percent, he said.

Schwab suggested Vietnam should utilize digital technologies to maintain its competitive edges as digital technologies, artificial intelligence and automation are transforming industries and shaping global trade in an unprecedented manner, cited VGP.

Photo: VGP

Vietnam has grasped new technological trends through introduction of ambitious policies, including the national digital transformation program, with an aim to make Vietnam among top 50 countries in terms of digital government and digital economy by 2025.

In its journey into the age of intelligence, cooperation, within ASEAN and globally, will be the essential condition for Vietnam to fully unlock its potential, emphasized Schwab.

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