Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and French newly-appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary

The PM highlighted the great potential for the two counties to boost cooperation, especially in the economy.

Vietnam will consider implementing the urban railway project funded by France in Hanoi after receiving reports of the Ministry of Finance and the municipal People’s Committee, he stated. 

The PM also urged the French side to hurry up other European Union member nations to approve the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, thus promoting trade and investment links between the two countries. 

For his part, Ambassador Lortholary pledged to accelerate the construction of the “France House” project in Ho Chi Minh City and a high school in Hanoi, as well as promote collaboration in television. 

He asked the two sides to hasten the signing of the project on building a metro line in Hanoi, which is expected to be a symbol of cooperation between the two nations. 

Franceh commits to double its funding for Vietnam’s climate change adaptation projects, he affirmed, adding that the French Government encourages French firms to work with Vietnam in environmental protection, and water and waste treatment.

Vietnam, France boost defence industry cooperation

Forum to promote Vietnamese and French firms’ defence industry cooperation in Hanoi 

A forum to promote Vietnamese and French firms’ defence industry cooperation was held in Hanoi on November 23.

The forum was organised by the General Department of Defence Industry under Vietnam’ Ministry of Defence and the Directorate General Armament under France’s Ministry of Defence.

Major General Doan Hung Minh said that to expand international cooperation in defence industry, Vietnam is interested in studying defence industry development policies of countries with developed defence industry like France. 

The country has increased all-level visits and experience sharing with countries, he added.

Vietnam also wants to explore opportunities for cooperation in technology transfer and human resources training in the field.

Lieutenant General J. Cousquer emphasised that defence cooperation is a pillar of Vietnam-France strategic partnership.

He affirmed that France is willing to share experience in security-defence with Vietnam, including issues related to global security, defence industry and marine security.  

At the forum, businesses of the two countries shared experience in issues of mutual concern, studied each other’s strong areas and supply ability to devise future cooperation plans.

VNA