Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and French National Assembly President Richard Ferrand (Photo: VNA)

Chinh, on a three-day official visit to France at the invitation of his French counterpart Jean Castex, repeated his thanks to the French State and Government for their donation of 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines via the bilateral mechanism and another 1 million doses via the COVAX Facility, saying that it is a manifestation of the close ties and strategic partnership between Viet Nam and France. 

For his part, Ferrand affirmed that France attaches importance to Viet Nam’s role and position in the region, and lauded the country’s efforts in pandemic containment and economic recovery over the past time.

The leaders shared the view on the Viet Nam-France special historic relationship with close bonds in many aspects, and expressed their resolve to deepen the strategic partnership across many spheres.
        
They said countries should uphold the sense of responsibility to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Ferrand emphasised the significance of maintaining security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation at seas and oceans, including the East Sea, on the basis of compliance to principles of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

PM Chinh suggested the French legislative body coordinate with the French Government to effectively implement the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and support the early ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He also called on the French legislative body to back Viet Nam in efforts to get the European Commission (EC) to remove the “yellow card” against Vietnamese fishery products, especially when France holds the EU Presidency in January 2022.

The PM thanked the French Government and parliament for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, especially amid COVID-19, and noted his wish for further assistance in the time ahead.

Ferrand highly valued the Vietnamese community for their integration and successes in France.

PM Chinh conveyed an invitation to visit Viet Nam from NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to the French NA leader. Ferrand accepted the invitation with pleasure and said he is ready to welcome Hue to France early./.